4Carnival Encouraged Dangerous Social Experiments
Venice was a rigidly structured society, yet Carnival allowed temporary rebellion. Servants dressed as nobles. Men and women swapped identities. Satirical performances mocked political leaders and religious authorities.
While this role reversal felt liberating, it also created tension. The ruling class tolerated Carnival as a controlled release of pressure, but they feared it could spark real dissent. When satire crossed certain lines, performers were quietly punished after the festivities ended.
Carnival was freedom—but only until it threatened power.
