however, goldoni has eliminated the mask. it is significant that goldoni includes venice in this early play because he replaced the traveling wagons with a permanent theater building in venice. heaven keep you. the plot of the venetian twins is intricate and revolves around a favored commedia theme, mistaken identity. the twins, zanetto and tonino, are played by the same actor but are totally different in personality. zanetto is buffoonish, unsuccessful in matters of love but successful in money matters. tonino, while poor, is a great deal more personable and successful in all matters. neither has seen the other for years, but as plot would have it, both arrive in verona, unbeknown to each other, and so the complications begin. one word more, friend, don't call me tonino. i don't want to be recognized. ah. call me zanetto. ah. each is mistaken for the other, and most of the characters find themselves in a constant stage of bewilderment. goldoni uses the device of the aside to keep us informed on the real thoughts and reaction

carlo goldoni, writing in the 17th century, observed, "comedy was invented to correct vices and to hold folly up for ridicule." and when the comedy of the ancients did this the audience was pleased because each person saw in himself or in others the original of the character represented on the stage. this was a co-production of miami-dade community college and british broadcasting corporation british open university. [music] captioning performed by aegis rapidtext