Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

SCINTILLA

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)Scint. | Scnit.
Words198
Characters991
Typicality0.29 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA06589
BritDrama no.794
ClusterCluster 1 — Wives, widows & intimate counsel

Important excerpts

No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).

Full speech

Their tongues happily are dipped to the root in amorous words and sweet discourses, but I think their hearts are scarce tipped on the side, with constant desires. Favilla though she be but a spark, yet is she fire. You are not angry Favilla? Nay, you think to be the wiser, because you mean to have the last word. I am not angry, but it spited me to see how short she was. I am agreed. Tys I have the cause, that never offered the occasion. You will be a good one if you live, but what is yonder formal fellow? Why is he not mad? No gentle knight, Report hath been prodigal, for she hath left you no equal, nor her self credit, so much hath she told, yet no more than we now see. A hard heart, shall we die for your love, and find no remedy. Is it not possible to meet again. Sir Tophas, the God of war deal better with you, than you do with the God of love. This it is to be matched with girls, who come ming but yesterday from making of babies, would before to morrow be accounted Matrons.

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.