• Overview
• Staging information
• Translations
• Sample translations
• Production history

Scene

This is a three-act comedia.

Staging

Our Narcissus, Don Gutierre, should be splendidly attired, or at least believe himself to be well-dressed. The first scene includes a litany of items he tries on, so part of his extensive wardrobe should be available for him to try on and cast off on stage. The first act is a tour de force of selfishness, love, desire and jealousy, with plenty of flirting in the shifting locations of the fashionable houses of Madrid. Don Pedro’s servant, Lucía, impersonates Inés who is away, and Lucía appears veiled when impersonating her so she does not reveal her true identity. The play ends, as these comedies do, with multiple weddings, but the staging could be simple throughout a production.

Cast number

Minimum	Maximum
9 males	11 males
4 females	5 females
13 (total)	16 (total)

Characters

• DON GUTIERRE, The Narcissist, Don Pedro’s nephew and Gonzalo’s cousin
• DON GONZALO, Don Pedro’s nephew and Gutierre’s cousin
• THE MARQUIS
• DOÑA BRIANDA, Don Pedro’s daughter
• DOÑA MENCÍA, Gutierre’s sister
• DON PEDRO, Uncle to Gutierre and Gonzalo
• DOÑA INÉS,  The Marquis’s sister
• TADEO,  Lackey and gracioso
• LUCÍA, Maidservant
• OLD GENTLEMAN, An escort/attendant
• PAGES (2)
• SERVANTS

Entry written by Kathleen Jeffs. Last updated on 4 October 2010.

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