John Fletcher and Philip Massinger
THE DOUBLE MARRIAGE
1619–1623
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
ASCANIO
Prince of Rossana and beloved nephew of and intended successor to the tyrant Ferrand. Ascanio has been kidnapped and held prisoner for two months by the pirate Sesse, who plans to use him as bait to capture Ferrand. Ferrand convinces his enemy Virolet to attempt to rescue Ascanio; during the fight on Sesse's ship, Virolet is captured. In the ship's prison, Ascanio warns Virolet that Sesse's daughter Martia is not to be trusted, then witnesses the promise of marriage between them. The three then stage a daring escape. Ascanio is reunited with his uncle Ferrand, who pays Virolet 40,000 crowns for returning his nephew. Ascanio later introduces Martia to Ferrand, and the three of them watch and comment on Castruchio's inept imitation of kingship during a mock banquet. When Sesse and his fellow conspirators, disguised as Switzers, enter the banquet hall, Ascanio and his uncle flee to a nearby tower. Sesse and his crew capture Ascanio and Martia and behead Ferrand. Thinking he is about to die, Ascanio is shocked when Sesse makes him king.
BOATSWAIN
A loyal and admiring member of the banished Duke of Sesse's pirate crew for fourteen years. The Boatswain fights fiercely when Virolet attempts to capture Sesse. The Boatswain is among the men who discover Virolet and Sesse's daughter Martia escaping from Sesse's ship, and he later disguises himself to help Sesse as he searches Naples for his daughter. In Naples, the Boatswain describes the odd behavior of the terrified silent citizens and, mistaking the royally costumed parasite Castruchio for Ferrand, launches an attack on Castruchio and the guards. The Boatswain participates in Sesse's later plan to assassinate Ferrand by infiltrating his court disguised as Switzers; after a painful encounter with Sesse's disloyal daughter Martia, the "Switzers" liberate the citizens and behead Ferrand. After Sesse confronts Martia and accuses her of betrayal, the Boatswain kills her to prevent Sesse from suffering the guilt of murdering his own daughter.
BRISSONET
A co-conspirator, along with Virolet and Camillo, in a plot to depose the tyrant King Ferrand. Brissonet brings Ferrand's favorite, Ronvere, to a meeting of the conspirators, to Virolet's dismay. Ronvere promises to assist their efforts by arranging for various noble youth to present a masque of virgins for the lascivious king during which the conspirators will be torchbearers, hiding their swords in the candles. After Ronvere reveals the plot and imprisons the conspirators, Brissonet agrees to take part in an effort to rescue Ferrand's beloved nephew Ascanio from the pirate Sesse. Brissonet does not survive the attack on Sesse's ship.
BOY
A crewmember on Sesse's ship, the boy enters "atop" and spies a pursuing ship from Naples. During the ensuing battle, the boy brings cans of water to the Boatswain, Gunner, and Master.
CAMILLO
An honest gentleman. Camillo is a co-conspirator, along with Brissonet and Virolet, in a plot to depose the tyrant King Ferrand. When the plot is exposed via Ronvere's spying, Camillo is convinced to join the attack on Sesse's ship to recover Ferrand's nephew Ascanio. He does not survive the attack.
CASTRUCHIO
Ferrand's court fool and parasite. Castruchio envies the king's luxurious life. Overhearing this, Ferrand orders Castruchio to be dressed in royal robes and treated as if he were king. During public processions, Sesse and his crew mistake Castruchio for the king and attack him. During a mock banquet, Castruchio attempts to indulge in gluttony and lust, and calls for his players to perform a masque of cuckolds. Despite being subject to assassination attempts and the zealous attention of the court physician who prevents him from excessive eating, drinking, and fornicating, Castruchio continues to glorify kingship and its trappings until his final encounter with Sesse when he admits he is a rascal and promises neither to believe in nor obey kings again. The Gunner then takes Castruchio away for execution.
CITIZENS
Three Citizens figure in the play. The Citizens of Naples are subjected to the tyrannical behavior of King Ferrand. The king, fearing assassination plots, has ordered that his citizens not communicate in words or writing.
The first Citizen uses sign language to communicate with fellow Neapolitans, but breaks his silence to warn Sesse and his followers that to be seen talking is a capital offense. The Citizen returns to tell Sesse to flee because Ferrand is coming. When Sesse and his crew, disguised as Switzers, launch a coup to depose Ferrand, the Citizen calls for liberty and expresses his support and admiration for Sesse. Once the Duke removes his Switzer disguise, he is recognized and followed by the citizens, whom he advises to use moderation as they exact their revenge on Ferrand. After Ferrand is beheaded, the citizens accompany Sesse in triumph and the first Citizen asks the Duke to be Naples' king.
A second Citizen also uses sign language to communicate with fellow Neapolitans, but breaks his silence to warn Sesse and his followers that to be seen talking is a capital offense. The second Citizen returns to warn Sesse to flee because Ferrand is coming. When Sesse and his crew, disguised as Switzers, launch a coup to depose Ferrand, the Citizen calls for liberty and expresses his support and admiration for the Duke. Once Sesse removes his Switzer disguise, he is recognized and followed by the citizens who he advises to use moderation as they exact their revenge on Ferrand. After Ferrand is beheaded, the citizens accompany Sesse in triumph.
When the pirate Duke Sesse launches his rebellion against Ferrand, the tyrannical king of Naples, the third Citizen joins in the cry of liberty and swells the number of citizens shouting their compliments to Sesse. The third Citizen suggests that Sesse be named king in Ferrand's place.
DOCTOR
A court physician who attends Castruchio during his banquet. He causes the foolish impersonator great frustration when, in the interest of the mock king's health, the Doctor refuses to allow him to eat the rich food or take advantage of the several beautiful women in attendance. Castruchio orders the Doctor's execution, causing Ferrand to end the fool's temporary reign.
EXECUTIONERS
Under orders from Ferrand, the executioners put Juliana on the rack and torture her almost beyond endurance.
FERRAND
The tyrannical king of Naples. Ferrand abuses his subjects, distrusts everyone around him, and fears he will be assassinated. When his favorite Ronvere reveals Virolet's plot to depose Ferrand, the king first tortures Virolet's wife, Juliana, who valiantly refuses to reveal her husband's hiding place. The king then persuades the remaining conspirators to attempt to rescue his beloved nephew Ascanio from the pirate Sesse, keeping Juliana and Virolet's father Pandulpho as pledges and hoping that Sesse will kill Virolet. While waiting for news of the mission, Ferrand is convinced by Ronvere to impose very severe restrictions in Naples to prevent assassination plots. Citizens are prohibited from meeting or communicating in any way. At the same time, Ferrand makes his fool Castruchio into a temporary king, hoping to demonstrate that kings must bear weighty sorrows; instead, Castruchio uses his new office to satisfy his unsavory appetites. When Ascanio is safely returned to him, Ferrand pardons Virolet's treason, pays him the 40,000 ducats he promised, and releases Juliana and Pandulpho. Ferrand continues to be haunted by nightmares and assassination fears, causing Ronvere to hire as additional guards a group of Switzers, who turn out to be Sesse and his crew in disguise. Ronvere later arranges for Ferrand to meet Martia and to watch and mock Castruchio's frustrated attempt to hold a royal banquet. When Sesse and his crew enter the banquet to launch their coup, Ferrand flees to the castle tower. Meanwhile, Juliana has accidentally stabbed her former husband Virolet, then died of sorrow. When the corpses are exhibited to the citizens of Naples, Sesse demonstrates how Ferrand's tyranny caused the deaths. Sesse and his crew vow to take vengeance on Ferrand. Ferrand enters above with Martia, Ascanio, and Ronvere; the tyrant and Sesse hurl accusations back and forth. Sesse then attacks Ferrand, beheads him offstage, and returns in triumph with the tyrant's head.
GUARDS
The corrupt guardians of the tyrant Ferrand and of the mock-king Castruchio. The Guards are offered the use of a group of ladies designated for the king's pleasure, and are allowed to ransom the women back to their own husbands. When Ferrand announces he will forestall assassination attempts by prohibiting meetings or communication between his citizens, the guards imagine how profitable this law will be to them. When Ferrand's fool Castruchio, disguised as the king, is attacked, the guards defend him. Several of the guards return Juliana to her home after she is tortured and released by Ferrand; they receive a gratuity from Juliana's father-in-law Pandulpho. When Sesse and his crew, disguised as Switzers, invade Castruchio's royal banquet, the guards cry treason and flee.
GUNNER
A loyal and admiring member of the pirate the Duke of Sesse's crew. The gunner fires weapons during the battle with Virolet and again when Martia makes her escape with Virolet and Ascanio. He assists Sesse and his crew in their effort to assassinate the tyrant Ferrand.
JEW
A "ghost character." He supplies costumes and cosmetics to disguise Sesse, the Master, the Boatswain, and the Gunner as they enter Naples to wreak their revenge on Martia.
JULIANA
Virolet's beloved wife. She begins with complaints about her husband's silences, but, when he confesses they are due to his preoccupation with a plot against the tyrant King Ferrand, Juliana supports the plot and, when it goes awry, reveals the location of a secret cave within the house where Virolet can hide. Arrested by Ferrand and subjected to shocking on-stage torture on the rack, Juliana refuses to reveal her husband's hiding place. After Virolet's return, Juliana is released and Ferrand's guards bring her home "not yet fully recovered" from her tortures. When Juliana asks where her husband is, the First Guard tells her he is back in Ferrand's favor, and her servant Lucio is forced to explain that Virolet has chosen not to come out and greet her. When Virolet does appear, he explains to Juliana that he must divorce her in order to keep his promise to marry Martia. He explains the reasons for the divorce and summons a lawyer, who announces they will use Juliana's barrenness, a consequence of the torture she endured, as grounds for the divorce. Juliana graciously concedes Martia's superior claim to Virolet, and asks Pandulpho to retract the curses he has placed on his son. Pandulpho replies that he will write a book about Juliana's virtues. When Martia comes to call, Juliana orders a banquet prepared for her rival, and is polite and humble as Martia rants about Virolet's refusal to consummate the marriage. Juliana refuses to help Martia take revenge on Virolet, and instead praises her former husband's ability to keep his promises. She then goes to meet Virolet, who proclaims his love for her and asks her to live with him. Juliana reveals Martia's plot against Virolet's life, but refuses to dishonor Virolet by behaving unchastely with him. Later, mistaking the disguised Virolet for the hated Ronvere, Juliana stabs her former husband, who praises and forgives her as he dies. She offers to stab herself, but Virolet begs her not to in the hope that they will be reunited in heaven. When Pandulpho enters with his book of Juliana's virtues, she asks him to burn it, explaining that she has stabbed Virolet. When Lucio and three servants enter, they and Pandulpho at first think Juliana is ignoring them, but they soon discover that she has died. The pitiful corpses of Juliana and Virolet are displayed by Sesse to help garner support for his coup against Ferrand.
LADIES
Captive beauties. They are paraded first before the tyrant Ferrand, from whom they beg but do not receive mercy. Next, they are placed before the imitation king Castruchio, whose plan to impregnate all of them is thwarted by the Doctor. The ladies are subjected to several sexual threats. When Ferrand decides not to use them himself, he gives them to his guards who are encouraged to "enjoy" the women, then ransom them back to their own husbands.
LAWYER
When Virolet attempts to keep his end of the marriage bargain with Martia, he hires the lawyer to arrange a divorce from Juliana. The lawyer decides to use Juliana's barrenness, now guaranteed because of the torture to which Ferrand subjected her, as the basis for the divorce.
LUCIO
Page to Virolet and Juliana. Lucio is a devoted servant whose efforts to be of use range from worrying that his master is not dressed warmly enough on a raw morning to attempting a rude dismissal of Juliana's rival Martia when she comes to call. When Juliana is released by the tyrant Ferrand and returned home still suffering from the tortures he inflicted, Lucio is put in an awkward spot when he must tell his mistress that her husband is home but has refused to come out to meet her. Lucio serves as an escort when the divorced Juliana goes to visit Virolet. After Juliana inadvertently kills Virolet then dies of sorrow, Lucio sees to the careful handling of the corpses of his master and mistress.
MARTIA
Snatched from her nurse by her father Duke Sesse, who was forced to flee Naples after killing the tyrant Ferrand's minion, Martia is raised at sea for fourteen years. Dressing as an Amazonian, Martia is a skilled fighter, which she demonstrates when the ship is attacked by Virolet and other Neapolitans attempting to rescue King Ferrand's beloved nephew Ascanio. Despite being wounded in the fighting, Martia, accompanied by haunting music, visits Virolet and Ascanio in their prison cell. There she confesses her love for Virolet who promises to marry her; in return, she helps the men escape from the ship. Aware of the extent to which she has betrayed her father, Martia nonetheless pursues Virolet, insulting his devoted wife Juliana. Virolet divorces Juliana and marries Martia, as promised, but then refuses to consummate the marriage, enraging Martia. Martia hires Ronvere to assassinate Virolet, then discovers her husband talking to his former wife Juliana, whom Martia insults. Accompanying the lustful tyrant Ferrand, Martia is captured by her father and executed by the Boatswain.
MASTER
A loyal member of the pirate Duke Sesse's crew, the Master helps defend the ship against Virolet, then assists Sesse in his efforts to pursue Martia when she flees the ship to marry Virolet. The master disguises himself as a Switzer to help Sesse overthrow the tyrant Ferrand.
MINION
A "ghost character." During a chess game that takes place fourteen years before the play's action begins, Sesse and Duke Ferrand's minion, a "mean poor man," exchanged words, and the minion gave Sesse a blow. Sesse tried to find a noble way to salvage his honor, but the well-protected minion mocked Sesse and refused to duel. Sesse eventually killed the minion, and as a consequence had to flee Naples with his daughter Martia.
PANDULPHO
Virolet's father. Pandulpho is arrested along with Juliana, whose racking he witnesses. He is kept as a pledge while Virolet seeks the tyrant Ferrand's nephew Ascanio. Allowed to return to his son's home after Virolet returns with Ascanio, Pandulpho is forced to give a gratuity to the guards who assist Juliana, now disabled by Ferrand's torture of her. When Pandulpho discovers that his son intends to divorce Juliana, he curses Virolet. When Juliana urges Pandulpho to revoke the curses, he promises to make her virtue his heir and to have her story "written in prose and verse." Returning with this book, he finds Juliana lamenting because she has mistakenly stabbed Virolet, who was disguised as the evil courtier Ronvere. Pandulpho, Lucio, and three servants attend to Virolet's corpse, then discover that Juliana has died. Pandulpho accompanies the corpses in a funeral procession, meets Sesse, and tells the story of Virolet and Juliana's deaths. Sesse promises to avenge the deaths by killing Ferrand. After Sesse beheads the tyrant and captures Martia, Pandulpho returns with the corpses and demands that Martia repent.
RONVERE
A favorite of the tyrant Ferrand. Ronvere infiltrates a group, led by Virolet, that is conspiring to assassinate the king. Pretending his own discontent has caused him to be disloyal, Ronvere gathers information about the attack, captures most of the conspirators, and reveals the plot to Ferrand. Ronvere prompts Ferrand to order severe restrictions on Naples' citizens, forbidding them to talk or write to each other in order to prevent assassination attempts. Hearing that Juliana has been divorced by Virolet, Ronvere plots to pursue her himself. He later hires Sesse and his crew, believing them to be Swiss guards, to guard Ferrand, then offers to help Martia take revenge on Virolet. Ronvere introduces Martia to Ferrand, who is smitten with her. The three of them watch Castruchio's comic royal banquet. Ronvere appears to be among the followers of Ferrand killed during Sesse's coup.
SAILORS
Loyal crew to the pirate the Duke of Sesse, with whom they have been at sea for fourteen years. The sailors fight valiantly when Virolet attempts to take their ship. After the capture of Virolet, one of the sailors follows Martia's orders to unbolt the prisoner and leave a rich cap and mantle for him to help his escape; six sailors are reported to have accompanied Martia in the long boat by which she escapes Sesse's ship.
SERVANTS
There are two sets of servants: one employed by Castruchio to serve his royal banquet, and the other employed by Lucio to help carry the corpses of Virolet and Juliana.
The banquet servants, who are not numbered, take away the dishes and finally the table as the Doctor forbids each item on the menu.
Lucio's three servants carry Virolet and Juliana's hearse through Naples to help motivate the coup against Ferrand and to demonstrate Martia's need to repent for her role in the deaths.
SESSE
A Neapolitan Duke. Sesse, with his daughter Martia, fled his country after killing one of King Ferrand's minions over a matter of honor. Having kidnapped Ferrand's beloved nephew Ascanio, Sesse is seriously wounded in a fierce fight when Virolet and other Neapolitans attempt to rescue Ascanio. While being treated for his wounds, Sesse recounts a dream in which his ship burns and Martia leaps overboard; he then hears that his daughter is escaping with Ascanio and Virolet, with whom she has fallen in love. Sesse orders the gunner to shoot at their longboat but is unable to prevent Martia's escape. Sesse curses his daughter and vows to be avenged for her betrayal of him. He pursues Martia to Naples where he and his crew disguise themselves as Switzers. In addition to discovering ample evidence of Martia's betrayal and depravity, Sesse also finds the people of Naples in desperate straits owing to Ferrand's tyrannical laws against communicating with each other. Interrupting Castruchio's comic royal banquet, Sesse and his crew cause Ferrand to flee to his castle tower. Confronting the tyrant, Sesse defies Ferrand, denies that ambition is his motive, and removes his disguise, revealing his identity to the people of Naples, who support his efforts to overthrow Ferrand. Returning from his attack on the tyrant bearing Ferrand's head and announcing the deaths of most of the tyrant's followers, Sesse refuses the citizens' offer to make him king. He attempts to kill his faithless daughter Martia, but his loyal Boatswain kills her first to prevent Sesse from having to bear the guilt of having killed his own daughter. Sesse makes Ascanio king of Naples then returns to sea, vowing not to return.
SOLDIERS
The soldiers, of whom there are "as many as may be," assist Sesse with his effort to overthrow the tyrant Ferrand and guard Martia and Ascanio after their capture.
SURGEON
Ship's surgeon to the pirate Duke Sesse. After the battle with Virolet, the Chirugion (so spelled) treats his captain's serious wounds, warning Sesse that his anger will prevent them from healing properly.
VILLIO
Ferrand's witty fool. Villio attempts to keep Castruchio out of trouble. When the two fools argue about the value of kingship, Villio asserts that royalty is a burden, while Castruchio praises its luxurious glories. Villio offers a witty and bitter commentary on Castruchio's royal excesses.
VIROLET
A noble gentleman. Virolet plots with his friends Brissonet and Camillo to overthrow the tyrant King Ferrand of Naples. When Ferrand uncovers the plot, Virolet hides in a secret cave in his house until he is persuaded by his fellow conspirators and Ferrand to attempt to rescue Ascanio, Ferrand's beloved nephew, who has been captured by the pirate Sesse. After a fierce battle aboard the pirate's ship, Virolet is captured and threatened with death. Virolet behaves with stoicism and valor, and, after Martia's intervention, Sesse confines him rather than executing him. Martia falls in love with Virolet and provides him with a disguise, extracts a promise of marriage from him, and helps him escape from the ship. Returning with Ascanio to Ferrand's court, Virolet is pardoned and collects the 40,000 ducats in reward money Ferrand has offered, giving the money to Ronvere in order to arrange a divorce from his loyal wife Juliana. Disgusted with himself, Virolet at first refuses to come out of the house to greet his wife when she returns from having been tortured by Ferrand. When he does appear, Virolet excoriates himself for his disloyalty, compliments Juliana, and explains that he has promised to marry Martia in exchange for her assistance with his escape from Sesse's ship. Re-entering with a lawyer and Martia, Virolet explains why he must marry Martia; the lawyer suggests they use barrenness as grounds for divorce since the tortures Juliana has endured will prevent her from having children. Juliana consents, and after she leaves the stage, Martia is triumphant as she imagines her life with Virolet. Virolet then explains that he has kept his word and married Martia, and will give her his fortune, but he will not consummate the marriage, offering his chastity up to the wronged Juliana. This infuriates Martia who seeks revenge. When Juliana comes to visit him, Virolet proclaims his love for her and attempts, unsuccessfully, to persuade her to live with him as his lover. In order to help depose Ferrand, Virolet disguises himself as Ronvere; Juliana fails to see through the disguise and mistakenly stabs her husband. As he dies, he praises and forgives Juliana and forbids her suicide. Virolet's pitiful corpse is displayed alongside Juliana's (who dies of grief) to motivate the coup against Ferrand and to make Martia aware of the extent of her sins.