Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Putana's Punishment in 'Tis Pity

Others have raised questions about punishment and “justice” in ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore; I’m specifically interested in Putana’s punishment. She receives her ultimate death sentence when named an accomplice to Annabella and Giovanni’s sins (5.6.124-137), and the “putting out” of her eyes is symbolically appropriate for one who has seen evil without stopping it. The fact that she is punished at all, though, is really her own fault—she reveals Annabella’s secret to Vasques. Putana’s talkativeness is mentioned throughout the play—teasingly by Annabella in 1.2.75-102 (“Pray do not talk so much”…”Fie, how thou prat’st!”) and scornfully by Vasques as he sends her off to her doom in 4.3.232-234 (“Gag her, I say. ‘Sfoot, d’ee suffer her to prate?...I’ll help your old / gums, you toad-bellied bitch!”). Does the play punish Putana because of her secret knowledge (and apparent acceptance) of Annabella and Giovanni’s incest or because she fails to keep that secret? Which is the greater sin—encouragement of others’ wrongdoings or betrayal of trust?

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