Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

COSIMO

in The Cruel Brother — Davenant, William

Metadata

PlayThe Cruel Brother
AuthorDavenant, William
Year (catalogued)1630
First performance1627
Decade1630s
GenreTragedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyKing's Men
TheaterBlackfriars;Indoor Professional
Speech prefix(es)Cosi. | Coſ. | Cos.
Words489
Characters2653
Typicality0.42 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA19876
BritDrama no.2202
ClusterCluster 11 — Tosspots & tavern railers

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

What sayest thou? And such another Headpiece filled with Whay As is the Master here, the Sun never saw. He hath writ a most pestilent Libel Which must be sung all about the city, By one he calls his Daw; A tall, big, fellow. I supposed at first, he would have sent him A Challenge. I'haue herd o'th' new edict, which institutes A mysterious toy, 'th' H tband, for those Of the faction. There comes my Cousin, chawing his lean heart. And then thou spendest thy Gall, with more justice, Then when, thou railest against Forest. And I with all humility. Or me thinks thou wouldst become a knighthood Get him to beg it for thee. If Signior Lothario do consent. Look, Thy Master's building more Castles, in the Air. Or my Ladys workmen. Yes, and her Pensioner. And she hath wished in witty-penitence, Thou hadst been single in the world, Yet had he lived, when the old Sibyl, Presented her divine Manuscripts, to The dull Roman; he would have scolded with her, Unless his Pamphlets had attained the first Acceptance. And that Satyr not the worst; wherein He chides Women, for wearing their Halfe-Ruffes, Which pinned behin'd trans sc tuates the face, Or makes'em look, Like Janus with two faces. Why sure her breath was strong enough To direct him to it. Can you deny this Cousin Satirist? Nay let's follow; and worry him to pieces. I am glad to see thee well Borachio! But where's thy Master? what, in durance still? But they make him amends in his diet. Do they no more regard his potent Hope's? Nay, that's too evident. How now Borachio! Dost thou speak treason? How the slave sows his Proverbs together. Are you come? I have stayed until the Clock Gave your promise the lie. I am resolved: and wish my self more able. Enough, he is a stranger to my thoughts. A little more of this mettle would puzzle My Geography; Is this Italy Or the Indies, There Borachio! Weep no more For thy Master. Look! who comes there? Sir, now he supposeth you in durance: And is himself secure; happily drunk, Or riding in the stews; you may take some Advantage on his soul too. Lose no time. Nay Signior! let him alone. Borachio! Steep thy wrath in cold water: follow, And be dumb. All shall be well. I am here. Speak low. Cousin Castruchio. T'is in search of Borachio; who fearing Danger in this Actium, commits himself Very tamely to his Heals. No, yet Lothario gives me notice: Of a noise far off: but you know the length Of and Asses ear. He echos by mistake. No body: but My Cousin says he'll lug the Asses ear, Speaking of your Man. Softly, softly. Will you led the way, that we may Harken If they be there, or no. A match. I feel my end to near. Nay—Prithee led the way

Plot summary

Plot — The Cruel Brother
As a favour to Lucio, to whom he is devoted, the Duke appoints the low-born Foreste his secretary, the first port of call for ali suitors seeking monopolies and preferment. Lucio also wants to marry Foreste’s sister, 1627 Corsa, arguing that she is ennobled by her virtue, though not her ancestry. He goes through with the marriage secretly, without the Duke’s permission; but the Duke is impressed by Corsa when they are introduced, and has her brought to court so that the marriage can be properly celebrated with masques and revels. Foreste humiliates the satirist Castruccio, but his elevation to the secretaryship prevents Castruccio from challenging him to a duel. The poet initially takes a literary revenge, but, when the Duke asks about his satires, he is too cowardly to admit that Foreste is the target. The rustic Lothario comes to court, dressing foppishly in the hope of becoming a ducal favourite. Castruccio persuades him that his lack of success is Foreste’s fault. Lothario accosts Foreste offensively and finds himself imprisoned in a tiny cell. The Duke’s real intention in bringing Corsa to court is to seduce her. He engages Foreste’s wife as an unwitting go-between, then sends Lucio away overnight on a diplomatic mission. With Castruccio’s assistance, he visits Corsa, and rapes her. Foreste learns of the rape and slits the dishonoured Corsa’s wrist; she bleeds to death. On his return, Lucio takes a more lenient view than Foreste — he places more weight on the compulsion than the sexual penetration — but both agree to take revenge on the Duke, and visit him in bed. In the end, they decide to spare him, but he has already arranged assassins to dispose of them: the job was given to Castruccio, who subcontracted it to Lothario. Lothario kills the Duke by mistake; Castruccio and his accomplice kill him, then finish the job by killing Foreste and Lucio. The conspirators are kept alive to answer questions, and then suffer a death of exemplary horribleness.