The Farce of Inez Pereira (), originally written as the Allegory or Act of Inez Pereira (Early ), is a 1523 play by Portuguese playwright Gil Vicente. It shows the ambitions of the Portuguese bourgeoisie in the early 16th century. The play was written after a challenge against Gil Vicente’s talent. The author agreed to write a play after a Portuguese popular saying: “Mais quero um asno que me carregue do que cavalo que me derrube” (English: “It’s better to have a donkey to carry me than a horse to trample me”). It was first presented to king John III of Portugal at the Convento de Cristo, in Tomar, in 1523. Characters Inês: a futile, lazy and greedy woman. Inês is the Portuguese form of the name Agnes or Inez; Pereira is a toponymic name literally referencing pear trees. She marries twice only to get rid of the boredom of being a bachelorette. Not achieving her aims with the first marriage, she finally does in the second, with a naïve husband. Despite her inappropriate behavior, she even manages to gain the sympathy of the audience through her wit. Lianor Vaz: a matchmaker. Mother: despite giving good education to her daughter, she believes that it is important to secure a good match and becomes Inês accomplice in her plots. Pêro Marques: the foolish husband. Despite being ridiculed by Inês, marries her and accepts her contempt and infidelity. Brás da Mata: worried about having a wife, fools Inês into believing he is a good man. After the marriage, becomes a tyrant and locks her up. Moço: the loyal servant of Brás, who despite not liking his master helps him to woo and lock Inês up. Vagrant: an old friend of Inês who became a vagrant and later her lover Latão and Vidal: Jewish matchmakers who introduce Inês to Brás. Plot The action revolves around the protagonist Inês Pereira, who never leaves the stage that remains the same throughout the play. Inês, is a common lass who aspires to marry up with a clever man. Inês’ mother, worried about her daughter’s future wants her to marry Pero Marques, a suitor brought to her by Lianor Vaz. However, Inês Pereira doesn’t like the idea of marrying the dull and uneducated son of a farmer. Two Jewish matchmakers intervene and Inés marries a squire, Brás da Mata. The marriage soon is revealed to be disastrous