# XIII: Of the Opera at Banza explained — The Indiscreet Jewels

> Chapter companion for The Indiscreet Jewels by Denis Diderot.

## What happens

At the opera in Banza, the rival musicians Utmiutsol and Utremifasolasiututut are compared. During a performance attended by Mangogul and Mirzoza, the Sultan uses the ring to silence the actresses while their Toys sing lewd songs, causing chaos. The ring is turned off, the play resumes, and Orcotomus sees his theories confirmed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Court and Society

The opera scene and the public's reaction to the ring's effects lampoon the frivolity and hypocrisy of courtly entertainment.

### Truth vs. Appearance

The ring forces the actresses' Toys to reveal their true lewd nature, contrasting public decorum with private reality.

## Character check-ins

### Mangogul

Uses the ring on the opera singers, causing their Toys to sing lewdly.

### Mirzoza

Attends the opera with Mangogul; yawns during a long chorus.

### Orcotomus

Triumphs as the event confirms his theory that Toys would sing.

### Utmiutsol

An older celebrated musician at the Banza opera, compared to his rival.

### Utremifasolasiututut

A young celebrated musician at the Banza opera, rival to Utmiutsol.

## Key lines

> Thirty women were struck dumb on a sudden. Their mouths were wide open, and they kept the same theatrical attitudes they held before. And at the same time their Toys made their throats sore with the violence of singing...

The actresses were silenced while their Toys sang loudly and lewdly, creating a chaotic spectacle.

_Describes the comical and scandalous effect of the ring on the opera performers._

## Links

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