La Ruffiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
La Ruffiana (in Italian, pimp or whore) is an older female character of the Commedia dell'Arte with a shady past or who used to be a prostitute.
She is used most often in relationship to the vecchio of which group she is a nominal member.
Ruffiana is most often romantically involved with Pantalone, though his love may easily be unrequited if it suits the plot.
Ruffiana can also be used to describe a witch.
[edit] References
- Bettella, Patrizia. (2005) The Ugly Woman, University of Toronto Press. p. 71. ISBN 0-8020-3926-X.
- Ariosto, Lodovico. (1857) Opere di Lodovico Ariosto, L. Austriaco. p. 62.
