Self-Obsession in Senso

           In Boito’s Senso, there are numerous parallels between Livia’s and Remigio’s personalities and motives. Livia, a woman constantly fixated on her own beauty, subconsciously sees herself in Remigio. Her self-obsession prompts her encompassing attraction to him, because her own character is mirrored in Remigio’s character.

            Livia’s vanity is attracted to the many personality traits Remigio shares with her. Livia admits that she has “overconfidence in (her) beauty,” and her sole comfort is her mirror (17). Her beauty occupies her worries, and her vanity and self-obsession are obvious even to her. Remigio’s resemblance to herself appeals to her vanity. Both Remigio and Livia carelessly play with others’ emotions and passions. Livia “would laugh, mock and tease those who tried to win (her) with their sighs or verses,” and Remigio only shows affection for Livia because he “need(s) her” to give him money (21; 44).  Livia and Remigio both possess the skills needed to entice the attractions of the other sex.  Additionally, for Livia, “it was the very depravity of the man that attracted (her)” (27). She is happy to subjugate herself to “his infidelity” (27).  However, she herself is being unfaithful and adulterous in her marriage. She is attracted to his unfaithfulness, because it justifies her own unfaithfulness. His corruptness entices her, as she, too, immorally searches for “someone to love” (23). Her vanity is drawn to the corruptness in him because of the corruptness in herself. Furthermore, both Remigio and Livia are more concerned with money and life security than genuine happiness and dignity. Livia willingly marries an old count, because she “wanted to have (her) own carriages, jewels, velvet gowns, a title, and above all (her) freedom” (19). Likewise, Remigio continuously asks for Livia’s money, even requesting 2,500 florins to release him from his military duties (33). Livia is not in love with her husband or even happy with him. She merely married the man so as to gain riches and reputation. She feigned interest in the count, acting without dignity to secure her future prosperity. Remigio, also, acts without dignity. He pretends love for Livia, exploiting her only as a source of income. Additionally, he uses Livia’s money to counterfeit a leg impediment to remove himself from the war’s battlefields. This is a shameless act of dishonor to his country. Remigio’s and Livia’s concerns with money, security, and extravagance are paralleled in each other. Remigio, a beautiful, flippant, corrupt and audacious man, embodies many of the characteristics Livia notices in herself. Livia’s self-obsession gravitates towards Remigio’s similar character, and she develops an intense attraction and passion for him.