Haha yes that is a good one. It is subverted in context, though, by the convoluted ruses going on. Figaro has been (temporarily) fooled by the women, who are trying to trap the Count red-handed by wearing disguises and swapping roles. None of the women in Figaro are ever actually unfaithful. (Figaro does pay back Susanna for fooling him, though. And of course-- sometimes it's hard to tell whether more weight is given to the ruse itself or its plausibility.)
Another moment I found hilarious is the climax of Act 2 in La Traviata. Alfredo has oneitis for Violetta and somehow they windup spending a year together in love. She leaves him and he gets so pissed that at a party, he wins a whole pile of cash playing cards and then, in front of everyone, throws the cash at Violetta and declares himself "paid in full." In context, though, the whole thing is rather female-primary. Violetta is supposed to be genuinely in love with Alfredo and a victim of circumstance, meanwhile virtually everyone else censures his improper treatment of a woman.
Then of course, there is The Magic Flute. Assorted themes include: matriarchy is evil, patriarchy is awesome, women should not seek to rise above their rightful station, and darkies are lying rapists. Probably my favorite part about Flute is that the two main characters fall in love with each other without having met. Tamino falls in love based on a tiny portrait of beauty. Pamina falls in love because she hears Tamino is a prince. This one is often considered good for kids because it's got animal costumes.
Another moment I found hilarious is the climax of Act 2 in La Traviata. Alfredo has oneitis for Violetta and somehow they windup spending a year together in love. She leaves him and he gets so pissed that at a party, he wins a whole pile of cash playing cards and then, in front of everyone, throws the cash at Violetta and declares himself "paid in full." In context, though, the whole thing is rather female-primary. Violetta is supposed to be genuinely in love with Alfredo and a victim of circumstance, meanwhile virtually everyone else censures his improper treatment of a woman.
Then of course, there is The Magic Flute. Assorted themes include: matriarchy is evil, patriarchy is awesome, women should not seek to rise above their rightful station, and darkies are lying rapists. Probably my favorite part about Flute is that the two main characters fall in love with each other without having met. Tamino falls in love based on a tiny portrait of beauty. Pamina falls in love because she hears Tamino is a prince. This one is often considered good for kids because it's got animal costumes.
Quote:Quote:
SARASTRO
she is an arrogant woman. –
A man must guide your heart,
for without that, every woman
tends to overstep her natural sphere.