The Mandrake

Brief Overview

«The Mandrake» is a comedy by Niccolò Machiavelli, written in 1518. The play is set in Florence and tells the story of a young man named Callimaco, who falls in love with the beautiful Lucrezia, the wife of the wealthy but old and naive Nicia. With the help of the cunning servant Ligurio, Callimaco devises a plan to seduce Lucrezia. They convince Nicia that Lucrezia can become pregnant if she drinks a potion made from mandrake, but the first man to be with her afterward will die. Nicia agrees to the plan, unaware that Callimaco himself will be that man. Ultimately, the plan succeeds, and Callimaco achieves his goal, while Nicia remains oblivious. The play explores themes of deception, desire, and human folly, illustrating how easily people can be manipulated for personal gain.