Scarpia

'Scarpia' is a sonnet in the voice of the famous villain in Giacomo Puccini's opera Tosca (librettists: Guiseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica) which premiered in Rome in 1900. The arrogant and ruthless Scarpia, who compares himself to Iago, takes pride in his skill as a manipulator and hunter. The poem focuses on the link between various confusions (concerning morality, faith, nationalism) and sexual bravado in the character.