"They have earned enemies in their own nest" : the context and consequences of Marin Držić’s conspiracy letters to Cosimo I de’ Medici

Taking the example of Marin Držić’s attempted conspiracy with the Florentine duke, Cosimo I de’ Medici, this article looks at theatricality as one of the key processes in the society of early modern Republic of Ragusa. This article discusses the ambiguous historical evidence testifying to dubious diplomatic actions of the celebrated author, who was a relatively powerless citizen in Ragusa at the time. The article further explores the repercussions of the discovery of the letters and the enduring consequences of this event that reshaped not only Držić’s historical persona, but also perceptions of political stability in Ragusa and could potentially change the view on the possibilities of an individual’s agency in state-building.