El juego de apariencias en La dama boba

Abstract

Although Finea, main character that gives name to the comedy, is considered lady lacking of "lights", almost a "sweet beast", the development of the actions in the plot shows us that this characterization has an air of appearance. On the contrary, Finea’s ingenuity, already existing in the firsts scenes, will increase, having as main motive —also apparent— Laurencio’s love. Finea’s "transformation" will allow her to establish a game with both characterizations: from dumb to ingenious and vice versa. Facing such a game with those who oppose to her love for Laurencio: her father Otavio and her sister Nise, will show that these characters are also marked under the veil of appearance. In the end, Finea’s triumph is paradoxical: she obtains a man (Laurencio) who doesn’t love her, and enters, by giving her hand, to the circle of patriarchal power that she had put in question by resisting to the education, by hiding her lover in the paternal house, by allowing herself to choose a husband.