1. The TARANTELLA In A Doll’s House
The thematic symbolism of a dance

2. Tarantella

3. Tarantella Is a folk dance performed across southern Italy.
In 6/8 time (fast-paced)
Changes between major and minor keys
Various versions created by numerous composers
Typically danced by couples

4. Nora’s costume: a Neapolitan Fisher Girl
Refers to Naples, a region of southern Italy
Wore ankle-revealing clothing

5. The Tarantula Wolf Spider
Native to southern Italy
Supposedly poisonous bite
In legend bite had one particularly effective cure

6. Tarantella A common tradition in the 16th and 17th century in Italy
To prevent death, one had to dance the poisons out. The dance was later applied as a supposed cure for the behavior of neurotic women
A common tradition in the 16th and 17th century in Italy
“Symptoms” were nervousness and energy
Cure of spider bite was to dance frenetically to release the poisons
In some legends, works as an excuse for women to “let loose”

7. So why blame a spider? Back to nora:
Why might Torvald choose this costume and dance for Nora?
What are various “venoms” that Nora could be fighting off?
What could the tarantella symbolize specifically for Nora and Torvald?
Why does Nora comply? Why might she actually be true to herself through this performance?
Based on the foreshadowing we discussed yesterday, will Nora’s “tarantella” be successful?

8. Tarantella info