Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

DANDOLO

in The Just Italian — Davenant, William

Metadata

PlayThe Just Italian
AuthorDavenant, William
Year (catalogued)1630
First performance1629
Decade1630s
GenreTragicomedy
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyKing's Men
TheaterBlackfriars;Indoor Professional
Speech prefix(es)Dandolo. | Dan. | Dandolo
Words368
Characters1968
Typicality0.17 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA19877
BritDrama no.2282
ClusterCluster 20 — Conjurers, witches & physicians

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

The Lady that is named Charintha here, must be revealed; for Ill Exallt her Lips, and make'em known to mine. I'll first do special grace unto your Lip— My Pen hath wooed you oft; but now by stealth Thus single I'm arui'd, a Moon before The time I did prefix. Was Winter when I specified the date Of my approach, and then my blood was cold; But now the spring is come, Things would couple. These (Lady) are very serculare Pearl— Do you affect'em Lady? I am instructed then. That I did ill, to leave my Pearls behind. Has not this house the privilege of peace? Hence, and be dead! Bid Kings wind silk, and Princes measure oats. D'you think you're the Count? Thought's free. Sir, —you shall know, No man ere God me, but my own Father. Exit. MY journey was by stealth, else I had brought With these, Legions of Dukes to speak my birth. My corporal method I will disorder, ere I'll miss her view. This British Groat is thine; traffic for Pins. No bribes? I am beloved. Th'are Nobles of a supreme raze. This is Stocccata called, and that Punto. They both Are come to warrant my creation good Upon the Gauntlet of a Giant or a Whale. Tumultuous fights the vestments mar. Lady! behold two Worthies here; Dragons In fight. They come to preach my birth. Th'are known to Fame. I say th'are Potentates; and they do awe— I do oppugn the motion with my scorn. Pardon me Sir! I say't aloud; The proudest wight on Earth Shall not kick me, excepting your deer self. Agreed, Six Duck ts you shall number more. Good faith (Sir) for no harm. These thousand years it has b n observed, eldest Brother's of her house (Sir) could never endure To cut their Throats. With sapi nt Arts, we will project to save Reputation of your I stice. I will promulgate I am dead, and both, My Champions here shall suum r't. Ransom, I'll give: for I do hate to die. What, is that saucy Groom? Does he fell Eggs? Beauty's, were you hands clean, they should be kill . The motion I worser slike, it's dangerous.

Plot summary

Plot — The Just Italian
A few months ago, Altamont married Alteza against the wishes of her uncle, the Duke. She brought a handsome dowry with her, and expects to be the dominant partner in the marriage; in turn, he finds her rebellious, proud, and prodigal, and determines to tame her. Now it is clear that the marriage has broken down, she refuses him access to her bed and proposes to divide the house between them: they will be. in effect, next-door neighbours rather than husband and wife. Altamont tries to discipline his wite by pretending to take a mistress (impersonated by his sister Scoperta'. but Alteza openly receives a lover. the rake Scialte:. However, she savs he must wait for sex and leaves him alone in the house to amuse himself. Wandetinyg around the house, he encounters Scoperta and courts her under the eavesdropping ears of Altamant: she agrees to go away with him if his intentions ware honourable. Once Alteza ts ready to entertamn Scrotte, he is no longer interested in her and is giving up the libertine life. Alteza is reconciled with her husband ond asks him to kill Sciolto. By a ruse, Altamont pets Scoperta to adnut that ste is a willing object of Sciolto’s attentions. He locks her up, and his men seize Sciolte as he scales Che en tora wall for the elopement. Altarmont and Scrolte heb a duel; Sciolto is beaten, but Altamont is wounded in the chest. Alteza is told that he is dead. and giver the power to pass sentence on Sciolta and Scoperta as tin people responsible; she orders them strangled thes ===== PAGE 392 ===== take leave of one another in a manner which proves the sincerity of their love. One of their guards reveals himself as Altamont: he has recovered and was testing them. In the sub-plot, Altamont’s brother Florello returns from an unsuccessful war, discharged by an army that cannot afford to pay him. Altamont gives him money to buy new clothes. Having heard that the Milanese count Dandolo is courting Alteza’s sister Charintha by letter, and is not expected to arrive in person for another month, he uses his new wardrobe to impersonate Dandolo. The real Dandolo turns up early too, but Florello convinces Charintha that he is an impostor. Dandolo returns with two bravoes, whom he represents as noblemen who will confirm his identity. Florello defies them, but is exposed when it becomes clear that the house is surrounded by officers waiting to arrest him for debt. Charintha sends him packing, but allows him to leave through the orchard gate to escape…