Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

GASPARO

in The Maid of Honor — Massinger, Philip

Metadata

PlayThe Maid of Honor
AuthorMassinger, Philip
Year (catalogued)1632
First performance1621
Decade1630s
GenreTragicomedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyQueen Henrietta Maria's Men
TheaterPhoenix/Cockpit;Indoor Professional
Speech prefix(es)Gasp. | • asp. | Gaspa.
Words284
Characters1433
Typicality0.28 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07240
BritDrama no.2291
ClusterCluster 6 — Battlefield messengers & soldiers

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

I will raise me a company of foot, And when at push of pike I am to enter A brea h, to show my valour, I have bought me And armour cannon proof I do not Like Activity that way. If I do No good, I'll do no hurt. I must tell you, In private, as you are my princely friend, I do not Like such Fiddlers. And on me—the principles that they read were found. Well urged my Lord. What a frown he threw At his departure, on you. Did I ever think To wear such garters on silk stockings? or That my too curious appetite, that turned At the sighed of godwits, pheasant, partidge, quases Larks, woodcocks, caluerd sammon, as course diet, Would leap at a mouldy crust? Good uncle name not (as you are a man of honour) That fatal word of war, the very sound of't Is more dreadful then a Cannon. I will cry broom or cats meat in Pal rm ; Turn porter, carry burdens; any thing, Rather then live a soldier. Beware of mine Or the horns may choke you. I am married Sir. And my vil a all. I will be brief. Yours to use In the way of peace, but as your soldiers never. Dead! Would that were the worst, debt were paid then, Kings in their birth owe nature. When you know what it's You will think otherwise; No less will do it Then fifty thousand crowns. You may read The edict to that purpose, published by him, That will resolve you. One thing more And that's substantial. Let your Adorni. Look to himself. Morrow to my Uncle. Vae victis. Now we prove it.

Plot summary

Plot — The Maid of Honor
Before the start of the action, Aurelia, Duchess of Siena, refused a marriage proposal by Ferdinand, Duke of Urbino. In reprisal, Ferdinand attacked Siena, conquered it, but then found himself trapped inside the city by the regrouped Sienese troops. To raise the siege, he invokes a defensive treaty with Sicily, but King Roberto refuses to honour it because Ferdinand was the aggressor and has brought his troubles on himself. However, he allows his bastard half-brother Bertoldo to go to war with a volunteer army. The court favourite Fulgentio takes advantage of Bertoldu: absence to woo his fiancée, Camiola. But she misses Bertoldo and refuses Fulgentio; his mpaste 1s to produce Roberto’s ring and make it a reval order that she accept him. She wishes Bertoldo were present to defend her honour: another suitor. Adurni. steps in. fights a duel, and wounds Fulgentio, which gets him into trouble with the King. Far trom raising the siege. Bertolde is routed by Gonzaga, Aurelia’s general. Both men are kKrughts «1 Malta, and Gonzaga is affronted to find Bertalds: unmindtul of chivalry as to be leading an ara searnst a lady’s interests. Roberta seuds Astutio te ransens: the Sicilian prisoners of war, but Bertoldo from the payment of his ransam by any private cen © aiid, expressly crcbeudhe + a ' torbnds ihe arrangement and ignores the order and sends Adurnt Go pay the ratsern Bertoldy is released. abligation to marry Camtola: bat Aurelia asks 1) him, falls in love with huni. arranges a dispersaticn redoubling his ctstrae tee ered toe release him from his vow to marry © cate to Sicily with him to arrange Chere ortreniss wetunal intervenes, apparently to stop the weddtap. but tars: out that she has taken helv orders aed ab safer nunnery.