circa 1624—1639
London
Printed by John Okes, for Humphrey Blunden, and are to be found at his shop in Corne-Hill, next to the Castle Taverne.
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
ACADNA
Only mentioned. Mentioned by Gentleman 1 and by Lord Skales when they are trying to find out the identity of the she-spirit haunting Mistriss Changeable's house. Gentleman 1 describes her as a "harmless Spirit fashion'd from the Aire, / And yet assuming substance, shape and forme, / That where she loves, doth all the offices / Of a faire Lady: can supply with Gold.
ALCIDES
Only mentioned. Alcides is mentioned by Slightall when, in the haunted Chamber, he faces Anne and tries to identify her "as if she were the Queene grim Pluto stole, / And great Alcides once redeem'd from Hell?" According to Greek mythology, Alcides was the first name of Hercules, until a Pythian priestess first called him by his famous name. She assured him that a deal had been made in Heaven between Zeus and Hera: if he served king Eurystheus, his elder brother, for twelve years, and performed the labours imposed on him, he would become immortal. He is also said to have attempted to rescue Persephone from Hades.
ANDROMACHE
Only mentioned. Andromache is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "Andromache was of too large a stature, / One loving Hector praised her gifts of nature." According to Greek mythology, Andromache was Hector's loving wife. She was about five feet tall and had long wavy black hair and warm, dark eyes.
ANDROMEDA
Only mentioned. Andromeda is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "Andromeda was belly, sides, and backe / To Perseus seene, he did not tearme her blacke." According to Greek mythology, Andromeda was an Ethiopian (therefore black) princess, daughter to King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. When the latter boasted that her daughter was more beautiful than the Nereids–sea goddesses–, these were furious and asked their father Nereus for revenge. Thus, he sent the sea monster Cetus to attack the Ethiopian coasts. An Oracle, then, explained to Cepheus that the only solution to calm the Nereids down was to offer them a sacrifice: he would have to chain his daughter to the side of a rock on the seacoast for her to be devoured by the sea monster. However, brave Perseus–returning victorious from his fight against the Gordon Medusa, flying with Hermes winged shoes on his feet over Ethiopia–saw Andromeda in danger. Then, she was rescued by Perseus, who turned the sea monster to stone with the head of Gordon Medusa, and, later, the Ethiopian princess married the brave young man.
ANNE
Also spelled An. in speech headings and also Nan. Anne is daughter to Master and Mistriss Changeable. She is in love with Slightall. When she learns her father agrees to her marrying her beloved one, she urges the former not to tell her mother about it, since she knows she would not agree to it. However, when, later, Treatwell arrives with the news that Lord Skales wants to marry her, the young girl puts in the balance her love for Slightall–a squire of low degree–and the honorable title of 'Lady' and 'Madam' she would gain by marrying the Lord Baron. Finally, it seems that her greed for a good position–instigated by her mother–is stronger than her feelings for Slightall, and she resolves to marry Lord Skales. When she learns that the latter comes to visit her, as his prospective wife, she is all excited about it and–not belonging to the nobility–she is worried, because she does not know how to behave when he arrives. But, when she finally meets him, she is deeply disappointed because she had assumed that 'Lordship' implied 'good looks', and now she discovered that she could not feel attracted to the young man she had before her. Thus, after a private discussion with her mother and a talk with the gentleman, she turns him down–to Mistriss Changeable's dismay–and goes in search of her beloved Slightall. But it is too late, because she only finds him once he has lost both all his fortune and his mind. Besides, he does not believe her when she claims she loves him–he actually blames her for his misfortune, and announces he has determined to turn a savage and live in a cave. Anne, on her part, blames her parents for her present unhappiness and resolves she will recover her beloved Slightall. Then, incensed, she releases her fury against her mother, Lord Skales, Treatwell and Geffrey, speaking to them openly and telling them, frankly, what she thinks about them, and how unhappy they have made her. Afterwards, Anne pretends she has gone mad, and agrees to accept her father's help to recover Slightall. Thus, when–with the help of Master Changeable–Slightall stays in a supposedly 'haunted' chamber of their house, expecting to face a 'she-spirit', Anne appears before him. Infatuated by her beauty, and not recognizing her, he desperately tries to find out who she is. In the end, thanks to the help of her father–and pretending she is ill, in order to cheat her mother and Lord Skales–she manages to reach her goal and marry her beloved Slightall.
ARCTOS
Only mentioned. Arctos is mentioned by Slightall when, realizing he has wasted all his fortune, he states: "I am ready / With a pinch'd stomacke, and cold Arctos breath, / With a bare breast, armed with patience / Against the sharpest storme, and thin necessity." According to Greek mythology, Calisto bore a child of Zeus, called Arcas (name which comes from the Greek word for bear: Arctos). When Hera, Zeus's wife, found out, she became jealous and transformed Calisto into a bear as punishment. One day, Arcas, as he was hunting, saw his mother in the shape of the bear, and not recognizing her, shot at her. But Zeus felt pity for them, and changed them into the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
ARIUS
Only mentioned. Arius is mentioned by the Divell (Master Changeable in disguise), when he addresses to Slightall: "I read that great Doctor Arius, / That poison'd three parts of the Christian World." Doctor Arius, Bishop of Alexandria, was the founder of Aryanism–a popular religious movement that began in the early 300's, and lasted for, approximately, 400 years. Its doctrine claimed that Christ could not have been equal to God, nor could he have coexisted with him, but rather, he was a created entity, through whom God had created everything.
ASTEROTH
Only mentioned. Asterothe is the name of an evil spirit invoked by Fryer John, who is pretending to cast a spell in order to get food from a cupboard at the Woman/Hostess's house–since he knows it is full of the food the Constable has brought–uttering the following words: "All vostro comando, Asterothe, il pane in hec camera presto." Later, he continues: "Je vous pre, Monsieur Asterothe, once more / A cup of Divine Claret; no, a bottle of some two quarts." and finishes: "But once more Ile employ thee, Asterothe, For this night no more trouble thee." Then he explains that Asterothe is "one of the foure great Spirits, that have Dominion / O're the foure quarters of the Earth." Afterwards, he will pretend to go on conjuring the spirit. Asterothe is also mentioned, later, by Gentleman 2, when he is praising Fryer John's deeds. Finally, Fryer John mentions Asterothe when he meets Slightall and Master Changeable–the latter in the shape of the Divell. According to Johann Wier's Pseudomonarchia daemonum (1583): "Astaroth is a great and a strong duke, comming foorth in the shape of a fowle angell, sitting upon an infernall dragon, and carrieng on his right hand a viper: he answereth trulie to matters present, past, and to come, and also of all secrets. He talketh willinglie of the creator of spirits, and of their fall, and how they sinned and fell: he saith he fell not of his owne accord. He maketh a man woonderfull learned in the liberall sciences, he ruleth fourtie legions. Let everie exorcist take heed, that he admit him not too neere him, bicause of his stinking breath. And therefore let the conjuror hold neere to his face a magicall ring, and that shall defend him."
BEGGAR
An 'anticke' dancer. He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Begger" on his breast. The word anticke (antique), apart from meaning 'old, ancient', also means 'disguised'.
BELIOTH
Only mentioned. Belioth is mentioned by Fryer John when he is being asked to exorcise the spirit haunting the house of the Changeables: "Had it bin great Belioth, Asteroth, or Belzebub, / I durst affront them, and confront them too." He is an evil spirit.
BELZEBUB
Only mentioned. Belzebub is first mentioned by the 'anticke dancer' who claims he is the devil, when he invokes the actual character of the Divell (who is no other that Mister Changeable himself in disguise): "Belzebub, / If thou hast any sufferance here on Earth, / Or limited powe o'er man, once more appeare / And offer me free language." From that moment onwards he is going to be a disguise adopted by one of the characters in the play: Master Changeable, who, impersonating the Divell, enters like a gentleman, and introduces himself as "The Divell Belzebub." Later, Slightall will address to the Divell (Master Changeable in disguise) as "great Belzebub". Finally, he is going to be mentioned by Fryer John when, as he is being asked to exorcise the spirit haunting the house of the Changeables, he replies: "Had it bin great Belioth, Asteroth, or Belzebub, / I durst affront them, and confront them too." Beelzebub is another name for the Devil, as well as Lucifer or Satan.
BOREAS
Only mentioned. Boreas is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "She that is puffed like Boreas in the cheeke, / Is but full fat, and Daphne she is like." According to Greek mythology, Boreas was the god of the North Wind, son to Astraeus and Eos. He inhabited the extreme north of either Thrace or Scythia. He is reputed to be the most violent of all the winds and he was the only wind god with a cult in Athens.
CONSTABLE
The Constable goes to see the Hostess at night, when her husband is absent, in order to woo her–since they are lovers. He brings a real banquet for her, but they are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the Host, and he will have to hide under the bed. Then, he is going to be cheated by Fryer John, who will make the Host believe the Constable is an evil spirit called Asterothe, and will make the former expel the latter from his house.
DAPHNE
Only mentioned. Daphne is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "She that is puffed like Boreas in the cheeke, / Is but full fat, and Daphne she is like." According to Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph–represented in Renaissance pictures as a pleasantly plump lady–whom Leucippus, son to King Oenomaus of Pisa, fell in love with. But being Daphne believed to avoid the male sex, he decided to disguise as a maiden in order to approach her, and that way the nymph soon became very fond of him–believing he was a daughter of Oenomaus. But Apollo, also in love with the nymph and terribly jealous, took revenge, making the nymph and her friends go swimming in the river Laddon. There, the girls noticing Leucippus would not strip, tore his clothes, and realizing he was no maid, feeling betrayed they stabbed him to death with their spears and daggers. Concerning the way Apollo fell in love with Daphne, Ovid explains that, after defeating Python, Apollo teased Cupid, for carrying the bow and arrow, with which Apollo excelled. Cupid decided to take revenge, and punish Apollo's pride. Thus, he shot a golden arrow, representing love, into Apollo's heart, and shot one made of lead, representing aversion to love, in Daphne's heart. From that point on, Apollo loved Daphne, but she hated him. When Apollo physically pursued her and caught her, she begged to her father Peneus to save her, and he turned her into a tree on the spot. Apollo, disappointed at the fact that she would not be his bride, instead made her be his tree, and thence the laurel tree became sacred.
DEVIL
Usually spelled Divell in the original. The Devil is a disguise adopted by Master Changeable, in his attempt to help his daughter Anne to recover her beloved Slightall and marry him. He first enters as an 'anticke' dancer. He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Divell" on his breast. (The word anticke (antique), apart from meaning 'old, ancient', also means 'disguised'.) Then, he enters again, this time "like a Gentleman, with eye-glasses", and he says to Slightall he can appear in different shapes and claims he is omnipotent. The Divell agrees to make Slightall's wishes come true and pay all his debts, on the only condition that he may then claim his soul. The young man agrees and they make a deal. Later, the Divell asks Slightall to go and sleep in a chamber he has haunted with a she-spirit–one of his servants-–assuring him that the lady, who appears deformed to other people, will seem fair and beautiful to him. Once Slightall is in the haunted chamber, the Divell arrives and claims the young man's soul, but, on the latter's request, he agrees to wait and take his soul the next time they meet. When that time comes, the Divell has to make Slightall see all his creditors for him to check that his debts have really been met. But the friars manage to cheat the Divell, telling him that, since the Divell has paid all Slightall's debts, now the young man is indebted to the Divell, therefore, since he is still indebted, the Divell cannot take his soul yet. Slightall still asks the Divell for one more favour: he wants to see the she-spirit (Anne) again, and that favour is granted to him. Finally, the disguise has worked and its purpose has been reached: both lovers will be together again, and the friars will marry them.
ENDYMION
Only mentioned. Endymion is mentioned by Master Slightall when he is professing his love to Anne: "And sweare by thy owne vertuous grace and sweetnesse, / By those intrammell'd Raies, those star-like eyes / Endymion blushes on." According to Greek mythology, Endymion was either a beautiful young man or a shepherd, according to different stories. Selene, goddess of the moon, fell in love with and asked Zeus to grant him immortality. Then, the king of gods put him into a dreamless eternal sleep to preserve his beauty. And, thus, Selene visited him every night.
FRIAR BERNARD
Fryer Bernard is a cloistered friar. He has been visiting the weak and sick with Fryer John, and it has become too late to go to the cloister. Thus, he agrees with Fryer John to ask for shelter in a house. They knock, but the lady is reluctant to let them in, explaining that her husband is absent. Finally, upon their insistence, she lets them sleep in the garret–though, in order to avoid suspicion, she will lock them and keep the key. They agree to it. Later, we learn that Treatwell has gone to look for him, in the hope that the friar should agree to rid the haunted chamber at the Changeables of the spirit haunting it. But Fryer Bernard, who does not believe in such superstitions, refuses to do such a thing. Afterwards, Slightall appeals to the Church for help against the Divell, who comes to fetch his soul–as a consequence of the deal they had made: if the Divell met all his debts, then Slightall would let him claim his soul. Fryer Bernard then explains that since the Divell has paid all Slightall's debts, now the young man is indebted to the Divell, therefore, since he is still indebted, the Divell cannot take his soul yet. At the end of the play, Fryar Bernard and Fyer John are going to marry Slightall and Anne.
FRIAR JOHN
Also called Frier Jacke. Fryer John is another cloistered friar. He has been visiting the weak and sick with Fryer Bernard, and it has become too late to go to the cloister, and he realizes they will not have time to get there before the gates are shut. Thus, he decides they should knock on one door, that of a house whose host and hostess he knows. They knock, but the lady is reluctant to let them in, explaining that her husband is absent. Finally, upon their insistence, she lets them sleep in the garret–though, in order to avoid suspicion, she will lock them and keep the key. They agree to it. But he cannot sleep because his friend is snoring. And it is by keeping awake that he finds out that the hostess is being unfaithful to her husband with the Constable. But the host soon arrives, and Fryer John is then released from his 'imprisonment' in the garret by him, who is glad to see the friars. Then, in order to recompense his friend and punish his unfaithful wife, Fryer John–aware of the fact that his friend is hungry, and that he thinks there is no food in his house, and having seen the banquet the Constable has brought for his wife, which, on the Husband's unexpected arrival, was hidden in the cupboard–tells the Host he can conjure a spirit that will offer them a banquet. When the Host sees all the food, he is really glad and amazed. Later, the friar tells his friend he can make the spirit appear in the shape of a Constable, for him to kick the spirit out of his house immediately. The Host agrees to it, and he actually kicks the Constable out, in the belief that he was a spirit. Thus the friar made his friend eat the Constable's food and kick his wife's lover out. Later, due to his reputation for having made the Host kick a spirit out of his house, he is called to exorcise the spirit haunting the chamber at the Changeables. But when he finds out that he will have to exorcise a she-devil, he goes away, leaving them stranded. At the end of the play, Fryer Bernard and Fyer John are going to marry Slightall and Anne.
GEFFERY CODPEICE
'Geffery Codpeice' is the insulting title Master Slightall gives to his former servant Geffrey when the latter offers to kick him.
GEOFFREY
Spelled Geffrey in the original. He is one of Master Slightall's men. He goes, with Roger, to see the Usurer and the Scrivener, in order to plot against his master, Slightall. He is determined to ruin him and feels no remorse. He is a base fellow who has reduced the number of men of his master "from twenty to two." Later, he arrives with the news that he has pawned his master's sword and received a thousand pounds for it, on the condition of "acknowledging a statute." Then, once his master has lost his fortune–with the help of Geffrey himself–he finds out Slightall still has kept some money for his two men: for Geffrey and for Roger, and he pretends to be moved by his master's generosity. But he soon goes to offer his services to Lord Skales, and is immediately enrolled as his servant. He is actually in the company of his new master, Treatwell, two Gentlemen and Mistriss Changeable, when the lady explains her house has been haunted for ten days. Geffrey is then asked by Lord Skales to go and find Fryer John, who is reputed for being able to transhape his spirits "into what forme he please." Later, he goes with Lord Skales in search of Slightall, in the belief that, since he has lost everything, he is still poor and in need. Thus, when they hear him say that, far from being broke, he intends to buy Lord Skales's Lordship, Geffrey–thinking his former master has lost his mind–encourages his new master to "beat him to's wits," and he even offers to kick him himself. But he will soon be punished, since he, Lord Skales and Treatwell are going to be beaten up by Slightall and Roger. Then, ashamed of having lost the fight, when they go to see Mistriss Changeable, they tell her a false story, claiming they "made him fly."
GENTLEMAN, FIRST and SECOND
Two Gentlemen figure in the play.
Gentleman I plays cards with Gentleman 2 and Master Slightall. He knew of the latter's love for Anne. Thus, when he learns about Slightall's change of mind with respect to his formerly beloved one, he cannot believe that one who loved her so much and so sincerely could have changed his affection so easily. Gentleman I is later in the company of Lord Skales, Treatwell, Geffrey and Gentleman 2 when Mistriss Changeable explains to them that her house has been haunted for ten days. He advises her to "seek out for some religious man / To exorcise the Spirit." Afterwards, he is visited by Slightall and the Divell (Master Changeable in disguise), because the former wants to check if his debts have been paid. Gentleman I then explains he does not owe him anything.
Gentleman 2 gambles with Gentleman 1 and Master Slightall. He also knew of the latter's love for Anne. Therefore, when he learns about Slightall's change of mind with respect to his formerly beloved one, he wants to know how he was able to change his affections so easily, and he prompts him to tell him and Gentleman I. Gentleman 2 is later in the company of Lord Skales, Treatwell, Geffrey and Gentleman I when Mistriss Changeable explains to them that her house has been haunted for ten days. He advises her to ask Fryer John for help, since "he can transhape his spirits [...] / into what forme he please." Afterwards, he is visited by Slightall and the Divell (Master Changeable in disguise), because the former wants to check if his debts have been paid. Gentleman 2 affirms they have.
GRANNAM EVE
Only mentioned. Slightall mentions Grannam Eve when he realizes Mistriss Changeable intends to marry her daughter to Lord Skales just because of his titles. He then calls Anne's mother: "Grannam Eve." According to the Bible, Eve, the first woman, was responsible for the original sin, thus, for the damnation of human kind. In the same way, Master Slightall, by calling Anne's mother like that, is blaming her for his and his daughter subsequent unhappiness.
HECTOR
Only mentioned. Hector is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "Andromache was of too large a stature, / One loving Hector praised her gifts of nature." According to Greek mythology, Hector was Andromache's loving husband.
HERCULES
Only mentioned. Sometimes spelled Hurcules, Hercules is mentioned by Master Changeable when he is urging Treatwell to speak before his wife, his daughter and Master Slightall, explaining that: "Hercules himselfe with bumbast limbes, / It should have publique audience." Later, he is mentioned by Master Changeable again when he describes Slightall, once he has convinced him to go and sleep in the haunted chamber in order to rid them of the evil she-spirit: "One like enough, were Hurcules [sic] alive/ With him in Thesius [sic] stead to enter Hell." According to Greek mythology, Hercules, famous for his extraordinary qualities–specially his great strength and courage–was the most popular of all Greek heroes.
HOSTESSE
Sometimes listed as Woman and given the heading Wo. or Wi. (for Wife). The Hostesse is the woman who lives in the house on whose door the friars knock to ask for shelter for the night. She is reluctant to let them in because, as she explains, she is alone–her husband is absent–and she is afraid of their intentions not being so honest as they claim. But on hearing their insistent begging, she finally lets them into a close garret, on the condition that she will have to lock them in and keep the key in order to avoid suspicion–bearing in mind that she is a decent lady and her Husband is not in. However, immediately after that, the Constable–her lover–arrives, and she eagerly lets him in. He brings her a banquet but, when they are about to start eating, her Husband arrives. Thus, they have to hide the food in the cupboard, and the Constable has to hide himself under the bed. Later, when her husband learns that the friars are sleeping in the garret, he wants to release them and greet them, since they are friends of his. Then, by Fryer John's words, the Hostess realizes he has been spying on her and that she has been found out: when he pretends a spirit brings him food, she knows he is really taking the food she hid in the cupboard; and, to her dismay, he even reveals the presence of her lover, the Constable, to her Husband–though making him believe he is the personification of the spirit he had invoked, and urging his friend to kick him out of his house.
HUSBAND
Also sometimes called Host. The Husband of the Hostesse of the house the friars go to, seeking for lodging, is absent when they arrive. Then, he enters the house, unexpectedly, when his wife is about to start eating a banquet his lover, the Constable, has brought her. On hearing him, she quickly hides both her food and her lover. The Host arrives both hungry and tired, and he wants to eat. But his wife explains that, since she was not expecting him so soon, she has no food ready. Then he hears a noise, and she tells him that Fryer Bernard and Fryer John have come asking for lodging, and that she has locked them in the garret for the night. He asks his wife to unlock the door of the garret and let his friends, the friars, in. In order to recompense his friend and punish his unfaithful wife, Fryer John–aware of the fact that his friend is hungry, and that he thinks there is no food in his house, and having seen the banquet the Constable has brought for his wife, which, on the Husband's unexpected arrival, was hidden in the cupboard–tells the Host he can conjure a spirit that will offer them a banquet. When the Host sees all the food, he is really glad and amazed. Later, the friar tells his friend he can make the spirit appear in the shape of a Constable, for him to kick the spirit out of his house immediately. The Host agrees to it, and he actually kicks the Constable out, in the belief that he was a spirit. Thus the friar made his friend eat the Constable's food and kick his wife's lover out.
INCUBUS
Only mentioned. Incubus is mentioned by Slightall when he is in the haunted chamber at the Changeables, trying to guess who the fair she-spirit in front of him–who is no one but Anne herself–is: "be'st thou a Lamia, / Or Incubus, thou canst not scape me so." The author may have made a mistake here, since, according to some legends rooted in the Middle Ages, the Incubus and his female counterpart, the Succubus, were fallen angels. An Incubus is a lascivious male demon who is said to possess mortal women as they sleep, being, therefore, responsible for the birth of demons, witches and deformed children. Thus, since the spirit Slightall is addressing is a woman, he should have referred to her as a "Succubus", rather than as an "Incubus".
JOHN BOE PEEPE
'John Boe Peepe' is an insulting name Master Slightall uses to addresses his former servant Geffrey when the latter offers to kick him.
JOVE
Only mentioned. Jove is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "be she growne, / By Jove, Minerva up and downe." According to Roman mythology, Jove was father to Minerva. She was born from his brain, full grown ("growne ... up and downe") and already dressed in her armour.
JUDAS
'Judas' is an insulting name Master Slightall uses to addresses his former servant Geffrey when the latter offers to kick him. According to the New Testament, Judas was the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ.
KNAVE
An 'anticke' dancer. He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Knave" on his breast. The word anticke (antique), apart from meaning 'old, ancient', also means 'disguised'.
LAMIA
Only mentioned. Lamia is mentioned by Slightall when he is in the haunted chamber at the Changeables, trying to guess who the fair she-spirit in front of him–who is no one but Anne herself–is: "be'st thou a Lamia, / Or Incubus, thou canst not scape me so." According to Greek mythology, Lamia was a woman whose suffering made her go mad, and whose name was uttered in order to frighten children. She suffered because Hera, jealous of her husband's (Zeus's) love for Lamia, killed her children. Thus, she lost her mind and, envious of happy mothers, she started to steal and kill their children. Later, her name also referred to a woman who sought the destruction of young people.
LORD SKALES
Lord Skales is a young baron who is in love with Anne. He sends Treatwell to speak to her father and express, on his behalf, his wish to marry her. When he receives the news that the girl has accepted him, he goes to visit her, but finds himself turned down just because his physical appearance does not come up to the young girl's expectations. She had related honorific titles to good looks, and she was disappointed not to find him attractive. Nevertheless, he is encouraged by her mother, and decides not to give up, since "hee's no good Souldier that at first repulse / Will leave the Breach." Thus, he stays for dinner. Afterwards, Geffrey goes to see him and offer him his services as a servant, and he enrolls him. Later, when he hears Mistriss Changeable say that her house has been haunted for ten days, and Gentleman 2 tells them that there is a Fryer John who can "transhape his spirits [...] / into what forme he please," he immediately asks his new servant Geffrey to go and find the friar. Then, in the belief that Master Slightall, who has lost his fortune, is still poor–unaware of the fact that he has made a deal with the Divell (Master Changeable in disguise) and has made him pay his debts in exchange for his soul–he goes in search of him. When he finally finds him, he hears him say that he wants to buy his Lordship, and he believes he has lost his mind. He just wanted to give him some money, but that offends Master Slightall, who charges against Lord Skales and his men (Treatwell and Geffrey), beating them up with the help of Roger. After that unfortunate encounter, Lord Skales goes to visit Mistriss Changeable and reports the incident to her, explaining how his offer was turned down and how he was challenged by Slightall, but changing the story to his own benefit, claiming to have "chastized his ingratitude" with his sword. His hatred against his rival begins to grow so much that when Master Changeable explains that he has managed to find a man–Master Slightall–who is going to try and solve the mystery of the evil she-spirit in their haunted chamber, he–reluctant at first–ends up accepting the idea, because he believes his rival will be torn to pieces by the devil. In the end, he will be cheated, since Anne will marry his rival, Master Slightall.
MAID, FIRST and SECOND
Two Maids figure in the play:
Maide 1 enters the haunted chamber where Slightall is spending the night at the Changeables, with "banquet and lights," and she and Maid 2 "fetch in Anne, and place her at the table against him."
Maide 2 enters the haunted chamber where Slightall is spending the night at the Changeables, with "banquet and lights," and she and Maid 1 "fetch in Anne, and place her at the table against him."
MAMMON
Only mentioned. Mammon is mentioned by the Divell: "Am I not Mammon too, the god of gold, / Soveraigne of all Exchequors, treasures, mints, / And those rich Mines that set the World at odds?" The word "mammon", in Aramaic, means "riches." Mammon (or, rather, the Greek word 'mamonas') is cited in the New Testament as opposed to the Christian god–in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew vi 24) and in the parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke xvi 9-13). As regards this passage in Luke, Nicholaos de Lyra states: "Mammon est nomen daemonis" (Mammon is the name of a demon). However, no Syriac god of such a name exists. In fact, the identification of that name with a god of covetousness or avarice stems, in the Middle Ages, from Piers Plowman, and later, in the Renaissance, from Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene.
MASTER CHANGEABLE
Master Changeable is husband to Mistriss Changeable and father to Anne. He agrees to his daughter's wedding to Master Slightall, and promises not to tell his wife about it–aware of the fact that the has other plans concerning her daughter's future. That is the reason why, when Treatwell wants to talk to him in private, he actually offers him a public audience before his wife, his daughter and Master Slightall. And when he hears that Treatwell brings news from Lord Skales, announcing that he wants to marry his daughter, Master Changeable rejects him and, instead, supports the claim of Master Slightall. Thus, he is in for a nasty surprise when he hears his daughter change her mind–influenced by her mother's greed for aristocratic titles–and decide she will marry Lord Skales, rather than her beloved Slightall. Then, he will argue with his wife, because he would rather see his daughter married to a man of means–Slightall–than to a man of titles–Lord Skales. Nevertheless, despite his strongly disagreeing with his daughter's prospective match, he will have to behave when the latter comes to pay them a visit. However, realizing his daughter is aware of the fact that she has made a mistake, he assures her he will help her to recover her beloved Slightall. To that aim, when he learns that the young man has lost his mind, he disguises himself as the Divell, and makes Slightall agree to go to the house of the Changeables in order to get rid of a female spirit haunting one of their chambers. Then he goes back home, and, once there, he convinces his wife, Lord Skales, Geffrey and Treatwell of the fact that he has gone to see the gypsies in search of help, but all he got was their refusal. However, he managed to find a mad man ready to help them–Slightall. Aware of the fact that his wife would not be willing to have Lord Skales's rival sleeping in a chamber of their own house, he insinuates that making him face an evil spirit would be a good way to get rid of him, since the devil would most certainly tear him to pieces. Later, when Slightall arrives, he welcomes him–as the good host he is–and sees him to his chamber. After his deeds disguised as the Divell, he manages to have his daughter married to Slightall.
MASTER SLIGHTALL
Master Slightall is a young gentleman who is in love with Anne. He is not of noble descent, but he is wealthy, since–in the Scrivener's words: "he had in Acres, glebe and medow, / Upland, and Dale, in woods and arrable; / And though in name a private gentleman, / Yet hath he three faire Lordships, besides sheepewalkes, / Parkes, and other large Demesnes." He has Anne's father's consent to marry her, but he has not gained her mother's yet. Thus, he is greatly shocked when his beloved one receives another offer of marriage from Lord Skales, and immediately turns him down and accepts the other, just in order to reach a better position by entering the aristocracy. Feeling betrayed, in order to take revenge, Master Slightall decides to lead a licentious life from then on. He meets two gentlemen, and tells them about his determination, explaining that, since he has been betrayed by his beloved one, now he is going to love all ladies–with blind eyes to their imperfections. Therefore, he asks Roger to provide him a "good lusty lasse" for that night, and, though his man reprimands him, he, nevertheless, insists. But Roger refuses to do him that service. Later, Geffrey arrives with the news that his has pawned his sword and has received £1000 for it. Slightall is glad to hear that, and he does not care about the conditions of the pawning. Then he asks Geffrey to do what Roger had refused to. And, meanwhile, he is going to play cards with the two gentlemen. As time goes by, he ends up squandering all his fortune. He then calls his two servants, and reveals he has kept a little gold for them: he gives some to Roger and some to Geffrey. Slightall admits that Roger was a good servant, who had always advised him to follow the right path. And his current state is the result of not having paid much attention to his wise words. Geffrey had never questioned his crazy wishes, and had always obeyed him–even is he should not–thus contributing to his downfall. That way, alone and poor he meets Anne one day, who, to his surprise, tells him she loves him. He cannot believe her, and, thinking she is a she-devil, blames her for his misfortunes and announces he is going to turn a savage and live in a cave. Thus, leaving her with the impression that he has lost his mind, Slightall goes away. When he is alone, several 'anticke' dancers appear before him in different shapes–one of them in the shape of the Divell. He then sees an opportunity to put an end to his problems and asks the Divell if he is powerful enough to pay all his debts. The Divell's response is affirmative, and he agrees to do it on the sole condition that he may claim his soul in exchange. Slightall agrees. Then, he goes to meet his debt with the Usurer, and to see his mortgage is discharged. Later, Lord Skales comes to seek him–thinking he is still poor–therefore, when Slightall offers to buy his Lordship, Lord Skales believes he is mad, and offers him some money. But Slightall feels offended, and fights against Lord Skales, Treatwell and Geffrey. With the help of Roger, he manages to beat them up and defeat them. He is then asked by the Divell to go and sleep in a chamber he has haunted with a she-spirit–one of his servants-–assuring him that the lady, who appears deformed to other people, will seem fair and beautiful to him. When he arrives at the house he greets Master Changeable, and asks to be shown to his chamber–feeling curious at the thought of what he may find there. He actually sees some devils dancing, two maids and Anne. He is infatuated by her beauty, although he is unable to identify her and keeps relating her to mythological women. Then the Divell arrives and claims the young man's soul, but, on the latter's request, he agrees to wait and take his soul the next time they meet. When that time comes, Slightall makes the Divell take him to see all his creditors for him to check that his debts have really been met. But the friars manage to cheat the Divell, telling him that, since the Divell has paid all Slightall's debts, now the young man is indebted to the Divell, therefore, since he is still indebted, the Divell cannot take his soul yet. Slightall still asks the Divell for one more favour: he wants to see the she-spirit (Anne) again, and that favour is granted to him. Finally, Master Slightall will manage to marry Anne, with the help of Master Changeable and the friars.
MINERVA
Only mentioned. Minerva is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "be she growne, / By Jove, Minerva up and downe." According to Roman mythology, Minerva was daughter to Jove. She was born from his brain, full grown ("growne ... up and downe") and already dressed in her armour. She was the goddess of wisdom.
MISTRESS CHANGEABLE
Alsp spelled Mistriss, Mristriss, and Mistriss Changeable and given the speech headings Wi. and Wo., Mistriss Changeable is wife to Master Changeable and mother to Anne. She wants her husband to listen to Treatwell's message about Lord Skales wanting to marry Anne, because she supports that match, since becoming the wife of a young baron would offer her daughter the title of lady. Thus, she, the ambitious Mistriss Changeable, would be related to the nobility. Determined to reach her goal, she speaks to her daughter in private, facing her with the two options–Slightall and Lord Skales–and with each of them can offer her. Not surprisingly, she is really glad when Anne chooses Lord Skales. Then, when the latter comes to pay his fiancée a visit, Mistriss Changeable argues with her husband, because he insists that money is better than titles, and she disagrees. In fact, the thing that worries her is to teach her daughter how to behave as a noble woman in front of her prospective husband. Therefore, she will be greatly disappointed when she realizes that Anne decides not to marry Lord Skales the moment she sees him–just because she does not find him attractive. She tries to persuade the girl arguing that the important thing is the titles, but Anne is not to be impressed by that: she just wants a man she can fall in love with, and that is not definitely Lord Skales. Later in the play she explains to Lord Skales, Treatwell, Geffrey and two Gentlemen, that her house has been haunted for ten days, since strange noises can be heard in one of the chambers after midnight. Afterwards, her amazement will be great when she learns that Slightall–despite having lost his fortune–has rejected the money Lord Skales had gone to offer him. However, she will soon be happy to hear that her husband, who had gone to look for the gypsies in the hope that they should rid them of the spirit haunting one of their chambers, managed to convince Slightall to do it–she believed that would be a good and easy way to get rid of him, convinced, as she was, that the Divell would tear him to pieces. But, in the end, she will be cheated, since her daughter–with the help of her father–will marry Slightall.
OVID
Only mentioned. Ovid is mentioned by Slightall when Roger asks him who his Tutor was–after Slightall has offered them the lesson on how not to take notice of women's imperfections. Ovid–Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BC-17 AD) was a Roman poet. He wrote Ars Amatoria, Metamorphoses, Remedia Amoris, Fasti, Medicamina Faciei, Medea and Epistolae.
PALLAS
Only mentioned. Pallas is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "if she be bleake of hew, / Pale, for the World, like Pallas." According to Greek mythology, Pallas is the name given to Athene–according to some legends, after she killed a sea-nymphe named Pallas (daughter of Triton) who was her childhood companion; according to others, after she defeated and took the life of a giant called Pallas. Pallas Athene, the Goddess of Wisdom, sprung from Zeus's head and she was his favourite child. She always opted for diplomacy as her course of action when dealing with state affairs or with conflicts between either humans or gods.
PERSEUS
Only mentioned. Perseus is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "Andromeda was belly, sides, and backe / To Perseus seene, he did not tearme her blacke." According to Greek mythology, Perseus was son to Zeus and the mortal Dana. He killed the Gordon Medusa. That was a complex task, since any living being looking at a Medusa would be turn into stone–however, the reflection of a Medusa would not turn a man to stone. Therefore, by using the shield of Athene as a mirror to locate the Gordon Medusa by the Medusa's mirror image, Perseus severed her head with his sword. Then, returning victorious from his fight against the Gordon Medusa, flying with Hermes winged shoes on his feet over Ethiopia–Perseus saw Andromeda in danger. Then, he rescued her and turned the sea monster (which was threatening her) to stone with the head of Gordon Medusa. Later, he married the Ethiopian princess.
PLUTO
Only mentioned. Pluto is mentioned by Slightall when, in the haunted Chamber, he faces Anne and tries to identify her "as if she were the Queene grim Pluto stole, / And great Alcides once redeem'd from Hell?" According to mythology, Pluto is the roman version of Hades, the god of the Underworld. He had expressed–to Zeus, Persephone's father–his wish to marry her. But, aware of the fact that Demeter, her mother, would not consent to the marriage, Zeus abducted her. He then offered her to Pluto as his bride and, thus, the bridegroom took her to the underworld.
PRODIGALL
An 'anticke' dancer. He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Prodigall" on his breast. The word anticke (antique), apart from meaning 'old, ancient', also means 'disguised'.
PROSERPINE
Only mentioned. Slightall mentions Proserpine when he enters the house of the Changeables in order to spend the night in the haunted chamber and confront the evil she-spirit. He metaphorically identifies Proserpine with Mistriss Changeable. Addressing to Master Changeable, he ironically claims that he hopes she is "not like Madam Proserpine your wife? / No shape else can affright me." According to Roman mythology, Proserpine was daughter to Ceres and Jupiter. In her youth, her mother hid her from the gods, but her father–to whom Pluto had expressed his wish to marry her–found her and, aware of the fact that Ceres would not consent to the marriage, abducted her. He then offered her to Pluto as his bride and, thus, the infernal god took her to the underworld.
PURITAINE
Another 'anticke' dancer. He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Puritaine" on his breast. He will not eat any pork, "doth use to shut his shop on Saterdayes, / And open them on Sundayes. He also describes himself as a "Familist", that is, a member of the sect of "The Family of Love." He claims he is "one of the Arch limbes of Belzebub, / A Jewish Christian, and a Christian Jew."
QUEENE
Only mentioned. Queene is mentioned by Slightall when, in the haunted Chamber, he faces Anne and tries to identify her "as if she were the Queene grim Pluto stole, / And great Alcides once redeem'd from Hell?" According to Greek mythology, the queen Pluto (Roman version of Hades) stole was Persephone. She was daughter to Demeter and Zeus. In her youth, her mother hid her from the gods, but her father–to whom Hades had expressed his wish to marry her–found her and, aware of the fact that Demeter would not consent to the marriage, abducted her. He then offered her to Hades as his bride and, thus, the infernal god took her to the underworld. However, the reference to Alcides (Hercules) is misleading, since it was Alcestis–Admetus's wife–and not Persephone, who was actually rescued by Hercules, who took her back from Hades after she had chosen to die instead of her husband–thus showing her great love for him.
ROGER
Roger is one of Master Slightall's men. He accompanies Geffrey to see the Usurer and the Scrivener, but he does not agree with what they are about to do: plot against his master, Slightall. He reveals the treacherous character of his comrade, and laments that they are going to betray a man–his master–who has treated them so well. Later, when Slightall asks him to provide him a "good lusty Lasse" for the night, he manifests his reluctance to do it. Instead, he reprimands his master on his licentious life, and warns him that, if he goes on selling his goods and wasting everything on "Fidlers, Whores and Cheaters", in the end, he will have nothing left. On Slightall's insistence, he refuses to do him that service, explaining "that is an office fit for none but slaves" and that he is no slave. However, when he learns that Geffrey is going to do what he had refused to, Roger decides to stay and keep an eye on his master. He is later moved by his master's generosity when, having lost everything he had, Slightall still calls both his men and gives him and Geffrey some gold he had kept for them. Roger, really grateful, states that he will keep the money ready in case his master should need it. Later, when Lord Skales tries to enroll him as his servant, as he had done with Geffrey, Roger refuses to accept–since he blames him for his master's unhappiness–and explains that he will always be faithful to Slightall. In fact, he will later help his former master in a fight against Lord Skales, Treatwell and Geffrey, and they will beat them up. In the end, he will help Master Changeable in his plan to marry Master Slightall to his daughter Anne.
SCRIVENER, A and B
Two different Scriveners figure in the play.
The Scrivener is a mean man who works for the Usurer. He offers the latter some gossip about a gentleman (Slightall) whose money they could easily get. He explains he has "dealt closely with a man of his to undermine him." That man is Geffrey. The Usurer is so happy to hear that he even offers the Scrivener a share in the gain. He soon gets writings from Slightall "sign'd, seal'd, and delivered," and he gives them to the Usurer. He then agrees to do the same with Slightall's lands, but when he reminds the Usurer of the fact that he wants his share in the money, the Usurer replies that he will not have money from him, but that his writings are paid for from Master Slightall's purse. Still, he asks for his brokage, but it seems that all he will get from the Usurer is a pint of beer in the "Taverne." Later, he will have to assure Slightall and the Divell (Master Changeable in disguise) that the former does not owe anything to him anymore, and he runs afraid when he realizes that Slightall's companion is actually the devil.
An 'anticke' dancer "habited in Parchment Indentures." He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Scrivener" on his breast. He carries "Bills, Bonds, Waxe, Seales, and Pen, and Inkhornes."
SHE—SPIRIT
Disguise adopted by Anne in order to cheat her mother and Lord Skales, and to recover her beloved Master Slightall. Her father, who also disguises–in his case, as the Divell–in order to help her, describes her to his visitors in the following terms: "this had with her beauty so much terrour, so much affright and horrour in her lookes, / such a confused noyse, with hellish sounds / Able to drive the sences retrograde; / Turne reason into madnesse, and invert / Capacity into fury. She is one of the Divell's servants, / And kitchen maides in Hell." Later, disguised as the Divell, he explains to Slightall that "to thee she shall seeme faire and beautifull." And, in fact, when the young man faces Anne disguised as the she-spirit, her beauty infatuates him.
SIR JOHN FALSTAFFE
Only mentioned. Master Changeable mentions Sir John Falstaffe when he is urging Treatwell to speak before his wife, his daughter and Master Slightall. On his wife's claim that the message Treatwell has to deliver comes from a great man, Master Changeable says: "Came it from on[e] of the Guard, from Sir John Falstaffe." Sir John Falstaffe was an experienced knight of great renown, who participated in the Battle of Agincourt (10/25/1415). He is the origin of Shakespeare's Falstaffe in the Henry IV plays, is mentioned in Henry V and appears again in The Merry Wives of Windsor.
SLIGHTALL'S FATHER
Only mentioned. Slightall's father is mentioned by Roger when he reprimands his master for wasting his old father's fortune: "How many monthes did your old Father spend / to purchase that you in a few houres consume?"
THESEUS
Only mentioned. Thesius (so spelled) is mentioned by Master Changeable when he describes Slightall, once he has convinced him to go and sleep in the haunted chamber in order to rid them of the evil she-spirit: "One like enough, were Hurcules [sic] alive/ With him in Thesius [sic] stead to enter Hell." According to Greek mythology, Thesius was son to Aegeus, king of Athens, and to Aethra, daughter to the king of Troezen. He was sent on several missions, which he completed successfully–in one of them he had to defeat the Minotaur. Theseus was the most famous human hero in Greek mythology.
TREATWELL
He is the man of young Lord Skales. He delivers Master Changeable a message, on behalf of his Lord, with the news that Lord Skales wishes to marry Master Changeable's daughter. After some discussion among father, mother and daughter, he receives a positive answer from the girl. Later, when he listens to Roger's arguments not to serve Lord Skales, he concludes the boy is a faithful servant to his former master and an honest man. Then he takes part in a fight supporting his master and Geffrey against Master Slightall and Roger, and the former are beaten up by the latter. Finally, he is responsible for going to seek Fryer Bernard, since he is needed to exorcise the evil spirit haunting the chamber at the Changeables'. But he returns with the bad news that the friar refused to come because he does not believe the chamber is haunted.
USURER, A and B
Two usurers figure in the play.
The Usurer is a mean man who wants to feed on other people's money. He talks to the Scrivener, in the hope that he will provide him with some gossip about possible victims. He is actually informed about a gentleman (Slightall) whom "could you squeeze [...] would yeeld good substance." The Usurer is pleased with the news and offers him a share in the gain. He soon receives, from the Scrivener, writings from Slightall "sign'd, seal'd, and delivered." He then asks him to do the same with Slightall's lands, but when he is reminded of the fact that the Scrivener wants his share in the money, the Usurer replies that he will not have money from him, but that his writings are paid for from Master Slightall's purse. Still, the Scrivener asks for his brokage, but it seems that all the Usurer will offer him is a pint of beer in the "Taverne." Afterwards, when Slightall comes with the money to meet his debts and get his mortgage back, the Usurer cannot believe his eyes. Later, he will have to assure Slightall and the Divell (Master Changeable in disguise) that the former does not owe anything to him anymore, and he runs afraid when he realizes that Slightall's companion is actually the devil.
An anticke dancer. He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Usurer" on his breast, and carrying money bags. He claims he is "Satan's eldest Son / And Heire to all his torments." The word anticke (antique), apart from meaning 'old, ancient', also means 'disguised'.
VENUS
Only mentioned. Venus is mentioned by Slightall when he is instructing his friends on how to love any creature, even if it is the "loathed'st", by taking no notice of their imperfections. He illustrates his point with the following words: "or if she lookt a squint / As I am true / So Venus looked." According to Roman mythology, Venus is the goddess of love. A symbol of feminity, she cultivated and admired her beauty.
VITELLIUS
Only mentioned. Vitellius is mentioned by Slightall when he asks Roger to get him a company of fiddlers and supper "equal with that which old Vitellius made, / When Art would exceed Nature." Vitellius was a Roman Emperor who had a very brief reign (69 A.D.), and was famous for his gluttony as well as for his gormandizing. His period in power was reported in Life of Vitellius, written by Suetonius.
WHORE
An anticke dancer. He appears before Slightall wearing "I am a Whore" on her breast. She describes herself as a "hot" whore.