Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

MARGERY

in Holland's Leaguer — Marmion, Shackerley

Metadata

PlayHolland's Leaguer
AuthorMarmion, Shackerley
Year (catalogued)1632
First performance1631
Decade1630s
GenreComedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyPrince Charles's Men (second)
TheaterSalisbury Court;Indoor Professional
Speech prefix(es)Marg. | Marg, | Mar.
Words196
Characters1053
Typicality0.36 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07025
BritDrama no.2351
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

I warrant you, Sir, my Mistress, and I, Have practised our Lirripoope together. He's so much the more welcome, I assure you, It's much. One of so tender years, should step so soon Into the world. I do believe it. They are plotting abroad, I hope to see you shortly Honestly married, and then turn virtuous. What help then? the poor Gentleman must suffer, Good Trimalchio: 'tis his fate. What do other women do with their husbands? Bring him up in obedience, make him beside And implement to save your reputation. Let him not press into your company Without permission, you must pretend, You are ashamed of him. Let him not eat, Nor lie with you, unless he pay the hire Of a new gown, or petticoat: live with him, As if you were his neighbour, only near him, In that you hate his friends: and when you please. To show the power you carry over him, Send him before on foot, and you come after With your coach and four horses. Perhaps he has some petition to deliver, Or would desire your letter to some Lord. I, and the foredoor too. Sir, what you please.

Plot summary

Plot — Holland's Leaguer
Six years ago, Faustina’s father sent her abroad to keep her away from her love, Fidelio, and made her swear not to marry for seven years. Now the old man is dead, she has returned to London, known only to Fidelio, but insists on keeping her oath for the last remaining year. Her brother Philautus is in love with himself, which distresses his friends and offends his wife, but gives his servant Ardelio the opportunity to steal from him by conveying away property into storage at an accomplice’s house. Fidelio plans to make him fall in love with Faustina; this will both cure him and test her fidelity. He explains it to Faustina as a plan to humiliate a lord who has cast aspersions on women. Philautus makes advances to Faustina on the assumption that all women are libidinous and enjoy being raped from time to time; but he is impressed by her militant chastity, and accedes to her demand that he prove his honour in battle. He later returns from the wars, cured of narcissism, and asks Faustina’s pardon for his earlier insolence. She identifies herself as his sister, and he gives his blessing to her marriage to Fidelio; so she agrees to abandon her oath before the seven years are out. On learning that Ardelio is a villain, Philautus dismisses him. He goes to collect the stolen goods, only to find that his partner in crime will not acknowledge that the items even exist. The ensuing argument is overheard, and the miscreants are both arrested, In the sub-plot, Agurtes intends to cheat the courtly name-dropper Trimalchio by introducing him to a young heiress - who is, in reality, his daughter and lifelong accomplice Millicent. When he visits Millicent, Trimalchio brings along Philautus’ brother-in-law ===== PAGE 537 ===== 1631 as Capritio, wiie: has’ been brought to towit: oleae: courtly manners.:Agurtés suggests to Trimalchio that: an Italian. (or Italianated) - Signor MisexE Kandy apritio’s tutor traveller, he may have'rivals for the heiress’s hand ii marriage. ~ AL PANDER at Holland’s} 1 daa Meanwhile Capritio woos Millicent’ 3 ‘Maids: ‘Margery. |ee Trimalchio declines to join. ‘Philautus: atthe. Anilitary — leaguer, preferring to visit: Holland's: premises and arrests the: cliente: including T. sionals ; : They are ‘brought 4 and Capritio’s. tutor, ‘Miscellank before..a justice; who is really Agurtes. in @ second disguise; but freed when a letter arrives trom. hadlltéent ! asking.-for their reprieve. Miscellanio: is convinced that the letter was sent on his…