Don Giovanni Research Paper

In today’s media and entertainment outlets, it is not uncommon for sex to appear. Movies, books, and television have all embraced it. Even rape, an avoided topic in nearly every social circle, has made its way into pages and screens big and small. Many people view this to be a brand new concept. However, the ideas of love, lust, and even rape have been projected to audiences for centuries. The perfect example of this is the spell-binding opera Don Giovanni, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Although this opera was composed and performed in 1787, it incorporated all of these elements. Only, it did it in a more subtle way. Don Giovanni, the Italian equivalent of Don Juan, was a nobleman who traveled Europe and made love to literally thousands of women. …show more content…
Certainly, during the 1700s, there was a double-standard in place. A man who had had his share of women in his bed was admired by his peers, provided that no unwanted children appeared from the unions. Pre-marital sex, while both socially and religiously scorned, was not uncommon (Casey). So, it could be that the main character of the opera, Don Giovanni, was merely doing what plenty of men of his standing were doing, only to an extreme level. The problem with that is, while men had their freedom, women were not so fortunate. Women were expected to remain virgins until marriage, and if they were not, well, there were consequences. So, by sleeping with all of these women, Don Giovanni was ruining them, both in the eyes of God and of their community …show more content…
This one happens to be employed as Donna Elvira’s maid. Knowing that Donna Elvira would never permit him to sleep with her maid, Don Giovanni orders Leporello to form a diversion. Leporello disguises himself as Don Giovanni, and showers the woman with apologies and promises of faithfulness. Donna Elvira, being a stereotypically naive woman, cannot help but forgive all that Don Giovanni has done thus far. While this is happening, Don Giovanni begins to make his move on the maid, while disguised as his manservant. Before he can get inside, an angry mob appears, searching for Don Giovanni. None other than Massetto is leading the group. Knowing that it was still too dark for them to recognize him, Don Giovanni joins their mob. After convincing the group to split up and go in different directions, he is left alone with Massetto. The title role takes away Massetto’s weapons and beats him before making his exit (Mozart: Don Giovanni).It seems Don Giovanni has had very little success at his game

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