Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

DICK

in The Contention between Liberality and Prodigality — Anonymous

Metadata

PlayThe Contention between Liberality and Prodigality
AuthorAnonymous
Year (catalogued)1602
First performance1601
Decade1600s
GenreMoral
Play typeBoys Professional
CompanyChildren of the Chapel (second)
Theaterbefore the Court;
Speech prefix(es)Dick.
Words333
Characters1678
Typicality0.50 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA19182
BritDrama no.1276
ClusterCluster 11 — Tosspots & tavern railers

Important excerpts

Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 11 (tospot, rees, ralph, soch, tout, oundes…). Matches are highlighted.

suppository. I think that some of these should do him good. Ask the Physician. Come on, my sweet Money, we must have a mean, To turn this foggy fat, to a finer lean, Zounds, we are undone, Prodigality, The Constables come after with hue and cry.

Full speech

Fellow Tomkin, I think this world is made of flint; Ther's neither money, nor wares, worth money in't. What Dandeline mine Hostis, what make you here? And I came of purpose to seek Prodigality. I of my fidelity. As soon as I can find him. Goo home before, make all things very fine. Farewell. Who? to, go to. Tom, now to the purpose where first we began. A gospel in thy mouth, Tom, for it never went worse. Master money hath left me never a penny in my purse. I pray thee tell me, is this brave Prodigality, So full of money as he is said to be? And will he lash it out so lustily? Then may such mates as we that be so bore, Hope some way or other to catch a share. In order then bravely. Sir, here be they that care not for your money, So much as for your merry company. Then if you please, with some sweet roisting harmony, Let us begin the utas of our jollity. Out of all doubt, , he is not gone yonder way. Why sure, Prodigality, it can be no other, But he is returned to Fortune his mother. Swounds, sir, he mocks you. What a prodigious knave, what a slave is this? Sir, you see it boots not. Marry, sir, be ruled by me, I'll show you a trick, How you may have him quickly. Scale the walls, in at the window, by force fetched him. Here is a ladder. God a mercy good halter, or else you had been yoked. Good, and God will. A more monstrous beast, a beast more unwieldy, Since first I was born, yet never beheld I. Nay, rather a suppository. I think that some of these should do him good. Ask the Physician. Come on, my sweet Money, we must have a mean, To turn this foggy fat, to a finer lean, Zounds, we are undone, Prodigality, The Constables come after with hue and cry.

Plot summary

Plot — The Contention between Liberality and Prodigality
Fortune rules the world even though her gifts are unreliable, whereas Virtue rewards genuine merit. The roisterer Prodigality and the miser Tenacity both sue to Fortune for the custody of her son Money, and this is granted to Prodigality. Meanwhile, various suitors approach Liberality, Virtue’s steward: the good are rewarded and the impatient told to wait and accrue desert. Prodigality falls into bad company and loses everything: Money has to pay all the bills, grows lean, and goes home to his mother. He is then granted to Tenacity, is kept indoors and grows fat for lack of exercise. Prodigality turns to burglary to steal back Money, but Fortune puts a halter around his neck as he is climbing into the house; he is saved from hanging when the rope snaps. He fatally assaults Tenacity, finds Money, and offers medical treatment for his obesity. Pursued by a hue and cry, he is arrested for robbery and murder. Money is given into the safe keeping of Liberality, and Prodigality is indicted and sentenced to death. He admits that his situation is the result of a bad life and over-reliance on Fortune. The court petitions Queen Elizabeth, in the audience, for a reprieve.