The work is an account of various circus spectacles held in Italian arenas, intermingling vivid descriptions of performance with cultural observations and historical reflections. The narrative opens with a depiction of events in an ancient Roman arena in Verona, where the author witnesses a large, Italian-run spectacle featuring a reproduced tournament. The account notes the prominence of a striking red-blonde female performer and includes humorous commentary on the presence of clowns—purportedly American but sometimes revealed as impostors from abroad—whose performances engage the knowledgeable audience. The description extends to musings on the similarities between contemporary spectators and ancient patrons of the arena, suggesting that human nature remains constant across the ages. In a later section, the focus shifts to an especially dramatic event involving a daring acrobatic act. Against the backdrop of a towering outer wall in the arena, the narrative details the performance of a young girl who climbs a high pole and executes a graceful, perilous dive into a large net. This segment is marked by an unusual exchange in accented English between the performer and a manager characterized by his Prince Albert coat and derby hat. The meeting leads to a brief personal encounter wherein the manager, though initially mistaken for American due to his style, admits his English origin and recounts the challenges he faces in sustaining his circus company amid economic pressures, even contemplating a move to America for better prospects. A third section of the work broadens the scope to circuses in other Italian cities, such as Venice and Florence, and even reaches into accounts of performances in Paris. Here, the narrative contrasts the high-quality equestrian displays of Venetian circuses with more modern, urban circus acts. The author critiques certain common acts—such as the overhyped feat of jumping through paper hoops—and praises alternative performances like the silent clown catching soft hats tossed from a distance. The analysis extends to comment on the evolution of clowning across regions, noting the emergence of clowns in evening dress in metropolitan settings, and contrasting these with the more traditional, robust style associated with rural popular entertainment. Throughout the work, the author blends firsthand observations with reflective commentary on the enduring nature of spectacle. There is an underlying theme of continuity: the modern circus is seen as an echo of ancient Roman entertainments, with the audience’s tastes and the performers’ skills maintaining a connection to the past despite changes in form and presentation. The work also comments on the business side of the circus, hinting at the volatility and transience of show enterprises as managers struggle to make economic sense in a changing cultural landscape. In summary, the work presents a multifaceted portrait of circus life, capturing both its aesthetic beauty and its inherent risks. By juxtaposing classical and modern elements, it invites the reader to consider the repetitive nature of human entertainment and the persistent appeal of the circus as a mirror to society’s timeless predilections and cultural continuities.
By William Dean Howells · First published 1888 · Genre: Realism, Satire, Cultural Criticism