Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

GRIFFITH

in Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue — Jonson, Ben

Metadata

PlayPleasure Reconciled to Virtue
AuthorJonson, Ben
Year (catalogued)1641
First performance1618
Decade1640s
GenreMasque
Play typeOccasional
Theaterbefore the Court;
Speech prefix(es)GRIF. | GRI. | GR.
Words419
Characters2258
Typicality0.38 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA72473.8
BritDrama no.1854
ClusterCluster 2 — Allegory, Nature & pageant voices

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

COssin, I know what belongs to this place sym what better then you; and therefore give me leave to be bold to and vise you. 'Is not a small matter to offer your self into presence of a king, and aull his Court? Be not too byssie and forward, till you be caulld, I tauke reason to you. Awe dgwin Tawson. Taw, worser than ynbhyd, y, dhwyti-n abl I anabhy, pob peth oath folineb, âgy tyny gwatwar ar die wlac. Tawson, Tawson. Fore'got you will go never to hazard a thumb, and a four finger of your best hand; if you knock him here, you may knock him better s'eape at Ludlow a great deal: do you know the place where it is? Oh Evan; for the honour of Wales. Marry, here is aull undone with distempers me thinks, and and gers, and passion. The Belly-gods too, was as proper a monster as the best of'hem. Very homely done it is I am well assured, if not very rudely: But it is hoped your Madestee will not interpret the honour, merits, love, and affection of so noble a portion of your people, by the poverty of these who have so imperfectly uttered it: You will rather for their saks, who are to come in the name of Wales, my Lord the Prince, and the oh the; pardon what is passed, and remember the Cyntrie has always been fruitful of loyal hearts to your Majesty; a very garden and seed plot of honest minds and men: What lights of learning hath Wales sent forth for your Schools? What industrious Students of your Laws? what able Ministers of your Justice? whence hath the Crown in all times bet ter servitors, more liberal of their lives and Fortune's? where hath your Court or Council (for the present) more noble ornaments or better aids? I am glad to see it, and to speak it, and though the Nation be said to be unconquered,, and most loving liberty, yet it was never mu tinous (and please your Majesty;) but stout, valiant, courteous, hospi table, temperate, ingenious, capable of all good Arts, most lovingly constant, charitable, great Antiquaries, Religious preservers of their Gentry, and Genealogy, as they are zealous and knowing in Religion. In a word, It is a Nation bettered by prosperity so far, as to the pre sent happiness it enjoys under your most sacred Majesty, it wishes no thing to be added, but to see it perpetual in You, and your Issue.

Plot summary

Plot — Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue
Comus’ attendants steal Hercules’ cup for use in their drunken orgies. Fresh from kiWing Antaeus, Hercules sees them off, then is lulled to sleep. Some pygmies try to steal his club and avenge Antaeus, but are scared off when he wakes. Mercury proclaims the coming of a time when the opposites of Pleasure and Virtue shall be reconciled: for the time being Hercules does not need to choose between them. Virtue brings forth twelve princes bred inside the mountain, led by Daedalus, who directs and explains their dances as allegories of the interpenetration of virtue and pleasure, then beauty, and finally love. However, pleasure and virtue are only temporarily reconciled: the masquers must return to the mountain, where virtue remains its own reward.