Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

GYPTES

in Endymion, the Man in the Moon — Lyly, John

Metadata

PlayEndymion, the Man in the Moon
AuthorLyly, John
Year (catalogued)1591
First performance1588
Decade1590s
GenreComedy
Play typeBoys Professional
CompanyChildren of Paul's (first)
Theaterbefore the Court;
Speech prefix(es)Gyptes | Giptes,
Words180
Characters945
Typicality0.31 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA06589
BritDrama no.794
ClusterCluster 20 — Conjurers, witches & physicians

Important excerpts

Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 20 (ithimore, nat, invisible, notary, glycerie, humfrey…). Matches are highlighted.

They are thrice fortunate that live in your Palace, where Truth is not in colours but life, virtues not in imagination, but execution. I can do nothing till I see him. These spots Gentleman

Full speech

They are thrice fortunate that live in your Palace, where Truth is not in colours but life, virtues not in imagination, but execution. I can do nothing till I see him. These spots Gentleman are to be worn out, if you rub them over with this Lunary, so that in place where you received this main, you shall find a medicine. With Pythagoras, that it is enchantment, and that so strange that no Art can undo it, for that heaviness argue a malice vnremooueable in the En chantress, and that no power can end it, till she die that did it, or the heavens show some means more then miraculous. And I choose rather to live by the sighed of Cynthia, then by the possessing of all Egypt. All as yet. It may be that either the Enchaun tress shall die, or else be discovered, if either happen I will then practice the utmost of my art. In the mean season, about this Grove would I have a watch, and the first living thing that touches Endymion, to be taken.

Plot summary

Plot — Endymion, the Man in the Moon
Endymion is obsessed with his love for GyHEHI, the moon, and neglects Méllisj who is infatuated with him. She plots to force him to love her, but the enchantress Dipsas is unable to induce love magically. She can, however, make Endymion sleep away his youth, and, with Bag@a’s assistance, casts a spell to that effect. Meanwhile the comic braggart Sir GpHaS falls in love with Dipsas and sleeps too. When Tellus is rude about Endymion, Cynthia banishes her to weave in a desert castle. There she uses her feminine attractiveness to induce her keeper, GGESITES, to move Endymion from where he sleeps, but he is unable to lift the sleeping body. He is pinched asleep by fairies, who magically spot his face and hands. S@mielé is sentenced to a year’s silence as punishment for her spiteful speaking. Cynthia sends courtiers around the world in search of a remedy for Endymion, but the wise men who come are unable to help. However, Eiimenideés finds a magic fountain which will supply any wished-for remedy ifa true lover weeps into it and sees the bottom. Eumenides passes the fidelity test and has to choose whether to satisfy his unrequited love for Semele or wake up Endymion. He chooses Endymion, and is shown in a cryptic prophecy that the sleeper will wake when Cynthia kisses him. It works: Endymion awakes, now an old man, and tells his dreams. Sir Tophas also awakes, seemingly more youthful. Neither gets the girl: Cynthia is chaste and unattainable, while Dipsas turns out to be married to G@fon, the keeper of the magic fountain, who has returned to court with Eumenides. The truth about Endymion’s long sleep emerges after Bagoa reveals the spell; in reprisal, Dipsas turns her into a tree. Tellus is questioned and admits her part in the affair. Cynthia restores Endymion’s youth and learns of his love for her, and of Eumenides’ for Semele. Semele’s initial silence is taken to indicate consent, but when she speaks, Cynthia sentences her to lose her tongue. Eumenides’ offer of his own tongue instead convinces Semele of his sincerity, and she accepts him. Corsites and Tellus are also paired off, and Dipsas, initially sentenced to banishment among the wild beasts, is remitted to the custody of her husband. At the request of Sir Tophas, Cynthia also releases Bagoa from the tree.