Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

JULIO

in Tancred and Gismund (Gismond of Salerne) — Wilmot, Robert; Hatton, Christopher; Noel, Henry; Al., G.; Stafford, Roderick

Metadata

PlayTancred and Gismund (Gismond of Salerne)
AuthorWilmot, Robert; Hatton, Christopher; Noel, Henry; Al., G.; Stafford, Roderick
Year (catalogued)1591
First performance1567
Decade1590s
GenreTragedy
Play typeInns of Court
Theaterbefore the Court;
Speech prefix(es)I •… l. | Iul. | Iu. | Iul | Iu •… .
Words572
Characters3111
Typicality0.21 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA15498
BritDrama no.467
ClusterCluster 17 — Intriguers & schemers

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

What is't your Majesty commands? How by your Graces bounty I am bound, Beyond the common bound wherein each man Stands bound unto his king, how I have found Honour and wealth by favour in your sighed, I do acknowledge with most thankful mind. My truth (with other means to serve your Grace, What ever you in honour shall assign) Hath sworn her power true vassal to your hest, For proof let but your Majesty command I shall unlock the prison of my soul, (Although unkindly horror would gainsay) Yet in obedience to your Highness will, By whom I hold the tenor of this life, This hand and blade will be the instruments, To make pale death to grapple with my heart. Both this, and else what ever you think good. Oh that I might your Majesty entreat With clemency to beutifie your seat, Towards this Prince distressed by his desires, Too many, all too strong to captivate "This have I found the safety of a king, "To spare the Subjects that do honour him. No, but by this devout submission. No, but entreat him. What wisdom shall discern. Nay what our word Shall best determine. We will not reply. Thou knowest our mind, our heart cannot be eased, But with the slaughter of this Palurin. I swear to thee, my liege Lord, to discharge What ever thou enjoinest Julio. I swear. But will the king do so unkingly now. To kill himself. The wiseman overrules his stars. LO here the sweets of, grisly-pale despair, These are the blossoms of this cursed tree Such are the fruits of too much love and care Overwhelmed in the sense of misery. With violent hands he that his life does end, His damned soul to endless night does weened. Now rests it that I discharge mine oath, To see unhappy lovers and the king, Laid in one tomb: I would be very loath: You should wait here to see this mournful thing. For I am sure, and do you all to wit, Through grief wherein the Lords of Salerne be, These funerals are not prepared yet: Nor do they think on that solemnity. As for the fury, you must understand, Now she hath seen the'ffect of her desire, She is departed, and hath left our land, Granting this end unto her hellish ire. Now humbly pray we that our English dams May never led their loves into mistrust: But that their honours may avoid the shames That follow such as live in wanton lust. We know they bear them on their virtues bold With blissful chastity so well content, That when their lives, and loves abroad are told, All men admire their virtuous government. Worthy to live where Furieneuer came, Worthy to live where love does always see, Worthy to live in golden trump of Fame, Worthy to live, and honoured still to be. Thus end our sorrows with the setting Sun: Now draw the curtains for our Scene is done. IF it please your highness hither have we brought This captive Earl as you commanded us. Who ̄ (as we were foretold) even there we found Where by your majesty we were enjoined To watch for him. What more your highness wills, This heart and hand shall execute your hest. "This is praise-worth, not to do what you may. Does Jove command it? Undaunted should the minds of kings endure. Behold, here, woeful king.

Plot summary

Plot — Tancred and Gismund (Gismond of Salerne)
Irked at the disdain now shown for his name, @iajpit! plans a demonstration of his power by making the recently widowed @ismi@md fall in love. Mamered comforts Gismond, promising that he can be both father and husband to her. Gismond feels the need to make the most of her youth, and confides in [GEBGe her wish to marry again. Lucrece broaches the matter with Tancred, but, seeing her as the only comfort of his old age, he is reluctant to give his consent. Cupid inflames Gismond with lust for Guishard. She sends him a letter inside a hollow cane, which tells him a secret route to her bedroom: it is built above a cave accessible from outside the palace. Meanwhile, MGgaeFA, sent by RIG in response to a petition from Gismond’s dead husband, inflames Tancred with anger. He enters her bedroom to find it empty, then sees her and Guishard emerging from under the floor, and remains in hiding there while they have sex. Afterwards he has Guishard arrested as he emerges from the cave, imprisoned in a dungeon, and strangled. Guishard’s heart is cut out and sent to Gismond in a golden cup. She takes poison and asks to be buried in the same grave as Guishard. Tancred grieves for the loss of his daughter and resolves to kill himself.