Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

CIRCE

in Tempe Restored (Tempe Restauratum) — Townshend, Aurelian

Metadata

PlayTempe Restored (Tempe Restauratum)
AuthorTownshend, Aurelian
Year (catalogued)1631
First performance1632
Decade1630s
GenreMasque
Play typeOccasional
Theaterbefore the Court;Whitehall;
Speech prefix(es)Cir: | Circe: | Circe.
Words151
Characters788
Typicality0.46 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA13848
BritDrama no.2359
ClusterCluster 15 — Devils, vices & grotesques

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

Dissembling Traitor, now I see the cause, Of all thy fawning, was but to be free: Was not for nothing, thou hadst teeth and claws, For thou hast made a cruel prey of me. And he is gone (aye me) is stolen from hence, And this poor Casket of my breast, hath left Without a Heart: that should for recompense, Have locked in two: Oh most inhumane theft! The Gods, more freedom did allow, when Jove turned Io to a Cow. Man-Maide, be gone! Cease Dreadful Jove! Finding thy Drift, My Bounty, shall prevent thy Gift: This Machles Pair, I make, my Heir: All I possess, I here, Resign, Thou hast And I have Mine. Then take my keys! and show me all my wealth. Lead me abroad! Let me my subjects view! Bring me some Physic! though that bring no health! And feyne me pleasures, since I find none true.

Plot summary

Plot — Tempe Restored (Tempe Restauratum)
Circe’s favourite, formerly transformed by her into a lion, takes advantage of his return to human form, and flees. Circe angrily pursues him, but is persuaded by her nymphs to watch a show of her remaining bestial subjects, the present occupiers of the Vale of Tempe. Divine Beauty appears, as do the gods. Cupid claims sovereignty over Circe’s victims, and Jupiter over the land. Circe anticipates Jupiter’s intentions by ceding her dominion to the King and Queen. Tempe is restored to the followers of the Muses.