In the story, Senso, by Boito, Livia strives to make others pay special attention to her, and
will stop at no limits to make just that happen. Livia is a beautiful young
lady who could maintain the love of a man named Remigio. Livia does in fact have
feelings for Remigio, but refuses to share them with him. “I was attracted to
him. I did not let him know it.” (Boito, 22.) Livia has a hard time expressing
her emotions, so instead she chooses to live in pain and be without the one she
loves. Livia lets herself live in this world of hurt and enjoys every second of
it. “This very pain gave me pleasure.” (Boito, 24.) Livia loves getting the
attention of others and having others feel pity for her. She makes it so she
seems to be miserable when in fact she could be living a very happy life with
Remigio. Livia enjoys this sense of others paying attention to her, so she will
do just about anything to make others take a second glance. She has a sense
that everybody around her pays special attention to her beauty, including
Remigio. Eventually Livia does confesses her love for Remigio and the two fall
madly in love. Livia is finally content with her life until Remigio is sent off
to fulfill his duties as a soldier. Once Remigio is gone, Livia once again
strives to make others feel her pain and feel pity for her. At this point, Livia has successfully gotten
all that she has ever wanted—to make others pay special attention to her. She
realizes how miserable this life actually is and only ends up hurting herself.
It is true that Livia looks for attention. Whether or not she wants that attention from pity is debatable. She wants freedom more than anything. She cannot be free if she is being pitied by others by what is keeping her form being free. She wants freedom from her responsibilities to others; she is selfish. Along with her selfishness comes a need for attention but not attention that is derived from pity but from her beauty and only her beauty. Pity is when someone feels bad for another because he is suffering with problems that usually involve others. Livia does not have problems that involve others, only herself because she is selfish. She wants attention from her beauty, not pity.
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