THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY

1619–1623

a synoptic, alphabetical character list

ALONZO
A gentleman of Lisbon, the nephew of a 'great captain'. Alonzo is said to have cast aspersions on the pre-eminence of Don Duarte as a courtier and swordsman. A quarrel results between Alonzo, caught out without a sword, and Duarte; the latter fully armed, prepared to attack an improvident enemy. Alonzo is no coward: he first asks time to fetch a sword, then proposes to exchange weapons with Rutillio, who refuses to trade, but who takes up the quarrel on Alonzo's behalf when Duarte basely sets about kicking his opponent. Rutillio seems to kill Duarte in a fair fight. Alonzo warns him of the danger he has brought upon himself and leaves the scene with him, but is not seen again.

ARNOLDO
A Roman gentleman, younger brother to Rutillio, and husband to Zenocia. He has traveled with his brother to the unknown 'country' of the title. Here, he falls in love with and prepares to marry Zenocia. Outraged and distressed by the threatened 'custom' of droit de seigneur, he escapes with his bride, accompanied by his brother and pursued by the Count. The refugees are intercepted by Portuguese pirates. Despite a brave defense, Zenocia is abducted but the brothers leap into the sea to avoid the humiliation of capture and slavery, the fate they somewhat unchivalrously thereby leave her to endure alone. The brothers swim to safety as destitute refugees in nearby Lisbon. Arnoldo there catches the attention of the lustful Hippolyta. He is lured to her luxurious house by her servant Zabulon, but resists all her attempts to seduce him and flees when she attempts to ravish him by force. The jewels she gave him she reports as stolen. Arnoldo is arrested as a thief and sentenced to death, protesting his innocence. Meanwhile Zenocia is sent to Hippolyta's house and is seen in her company by Arnoldo when Hippolyta, changing her mind, confesses her false accusation. Arnoldo fears for his bride's honour in such lecherous company and pretends to be reconciled to Hippolyta's love in order to check on Zenocia's chastity. Zenocia has equal fears for her husband's fidelity. Their loving reunion is doubly spied on by Hippolyta and her suitor, Leopold: both rejected parties decide on bloody revenge for being slighted. Leopold soon overhears enough to persuade him that Arnoldo is no threat to him, but Hippolyta sends stranglers to murder her rival, whereupon Arnoldo offers himself to her in exchange for the life of his bride. The Governor's arrival with Count Clodio and Zenocia's father prevents a disaster and Zenocia is freed. Hippolyta employs Sulpitia to cast a fatal charm on Zenocia but Arnoldo shares her suffering and is likely to die with her. To save his life, Hippolyta again recants her revenge. The spell is lifted and, moved by their true love, Hippolyta gives a huge dowry to Zenocia and the restored couple plan to live happily ever after.

BRAVO
An unnamed assailant, or assassin, hired by Leopold to maim Arnoldo, whose accidental interference in Leopold's pursuit of Hippolyta has provoked his resentment. The Bravo debates his fee for mutilation, explaining that he charges more for non-fatal disfigurement than outright killing, to cover the overheads involved in likely retaliation by his victim. His services are ultimately not required.

CHARINO
Father to Zenocia, a noble man of the unknown 'country' of the title. Distraught that his daughter's imminent marriage to Arnoldo will entail the notorious droit de seigneur enforced by Count Clodio, he attempts to persuade her to capitalize on the opportunity to seduce and marry the Count instead. Her adamant refusal allows him to admit that he had been trying to persuade her under compulsion. The furious Count takes him hostage in pursuit of the newly-wed lovers, who flee the country. During their long and tempestuous pursuit, the Count repents his lustfulness; together they continue to search for the refugees in Lisbon, in disguise, but with the covert help of the Governor. Here they find Zenocia enslaved and Arnoldo under sentence of death: events forestall their need to intervene immediately, but with the Governor's aid they arrive to liberate Zenocia from bondage at the point when she is threatened with death by strangulation. The anticipated happy ending is again forestalled when Zenocia is struck down with a mysterious and actually magical illness. Charino believes that his daughter's suffering is a punishment on him, for previously attempting to subvert their happiness. He now sees the full extent of his son-in-law's devotion, suffering equally Zenocia and as likely to die, and is further grieved for Arnoldo when Rutillio confesses to the murder of the Governor's nephew. All ends well, and Charino, passing lightly over her two earlier attempts at his daughter's murder, particularly praises Hippolyta's generosity in the gift of a huge dowry for Zenocia.

CLODIO
Tyrannical and lecherous Count of the unknown 'country' of the title. It may be an Italian city-state distant from Rome (birthplace of our two heroes, Arnoldo and Rutillio) or anywhere else in the Mediterranean a long sea-voyage from Lisbon. Clodio's ruthless determination to indulge his libido in upholding the traditional droit de seigneur over new brides in his domain precipitates the armed defiance and subsequent flight of the newly-married Zenocia and Arnoldo from the threat of his unacceptable attentions. His tyranny had already appeared in compelling the bride's father, Charino, to attempt to woo for him instead, and in gloating over the prospect of ravishing Zenocia despite her revulsion and contempt. With threats of violence against Charino, his hostage, he pursues the refugees as far as Lisbon. A long and stormy voyage has given him time to repent of his tyranny and lust: he now vows to pursue Zenocia fairly as a prospective suitor. His political influence as an ally of Portugal allows him to monitor the adventures of the unhappy couple, in disguise. Part of the Governor's party who liberate Zenocia from slavery (and rescue her from strangulation), he does not immediately dispel her fears by insisting on his reformed character. Zenocia's later suffering and likely death from Hippolyta's black magic provokes a more outspoken show of his repentance, pity and admiration for the true devotion of the afflicted lovers. He vows to abolish the cruel custom of his country hereafter, continues to show princely mercy by interceding for the life of Rutillio, and continues to think of Zenocia as a sister, when the cruel spell is revoked and all ends happily.

DOCTOR
The unnamed Doctor, who by a medical miracle is able to restore the moribund Duarte to health after his near-fatal fight with Rutillio, together with an unprecedented access of moral integrity as part of his cure. He informs Duarte that the Governor has kept his survival a secret from his long-suffering mother, and agrees to continue to keep the secret further at Duarte's request. Two unnamed Doctors appear later, during the equally life-threatening illness of Arnoldo and Zenocia; the one who speaks may very well be the same as this first, as the senior physician in the service of the Governor.

DUARTE
A braggart gentleman, son to Guiomar, nephew to the Governor of Lisbon, and currently a heartbreaking liability to both of them. Don Duarte is an undutiful, arrogant prodigal. His character and career prospered, thanks to his mother's care, after his father's early death. At first a credit to all at the university of Salamanca, time as a courtier in the Emperor's court (presumably Spain), has corrupted his morals, honor and temper while he outwardly gained the highest refinements of polite society. He is obsessed with the vacuous fashion for dueling and is deeply resentful of the interference of his family. He pursues a quarrel with Alonzo, who is said to have slighted him; Rutillio intervenes to defend the unarmed stranger, and defeats Duarte, who is believed dead until much later in the plot. His reputed passing is scarcely mourned, except by his mother. His cure includes a complete moral rehabilitation from his earlier vices and excesses. Still thought dead, he intends to use his anonymity both to seek out and thank his unknown assailant for being the first cause of his reformation, and also to test the true extent of his mother's grief. Prat. In disguise, he tracks Rutillio to his ordeal at Sulpitia's brothel and befriends him, gives him money to buy his freedom from prostitution and his hospitality to recover from his debilitation. He agrees to take a letter for Rutillio, which turns out to be a love-letter to his own mother. Duarte is secretly outraged to learn that his mother had rescued Rutillio from arrest for his own presumed murder, despite knowing all the facts. He fears for his mother's honour in this, and further doubts the sincerity of her maternal devotion. Delivering the letter in disguise, he approves of her appearance of mourning but is appalled at her overjoyed reaction to the letter, mistaking as lust her intention to use a further meeting with Rutillio for revenge on her son's killer. Duarte accompanies Rutillio to the meeting, wallowing in gloom until his mother summons the Governor and denounces her suitor. Both his mother and presumed murderer proving honorable, Duarte reveals himself, thanks his new friend as planned, and rejoices in the true-love-match that now is made between Guiomar and Rutillio.

GENTLEWOMEN
Two gentlewomen, unnamed but said to be sisters, patrons of Sulpitia's brothel and said to be Rutillio's sixth and seventh 'clients' of a rather slack day's work.

GUIOMAR
Sister to Manuel, Governor of Lisbon, and mother to Duarte. A respected and honorable widow, despairing of her son's arrogance and obsession with pointless dueling. Both she and her brother exert themselves to reform him, without success. Duarte is believed killed in his latest fight. Guiomar's sleepless night waiting for him to come home is interrupted by Rutillio, seeking refuge from the law. She responds in charitable hospitality to the hunted stranger, knowing only that he has killed an unnamed aggressor in a fair fight. She would have helped any man in the same predicament, even a Castilian, as fearing that her own son could easily need the same compassion from a stranger. Realizing that her protégé is indeed her son's assailant, she keeps her promise to conceal him, holding her oath even more highly than her mother's grief and desire for revenge. She commands the stranger to hide his face from her, so she will not be forced to identify him and gives him money with which to make good his escape. Rutillio expresses his complete devotion to her, which, during his time in bondage in Sulpitia's brothel, develops into a plan to woo her when he is enabled to escape, thanks to the still-living and disguised Duarte. Her son doubting Guiomar's true grief for him, he delivers to her Rutillio's presumptuous love-letter where she is found showing all the signs of deep mourning: in darkness and solitude, sitting on the ground and weeping over his portrait. Guiomar, not recognizing her messenger and needing to send messages of encouragement back to her suitor, reveals only her delight in the letter, to the extent of preparing to send for a priest to marry them immediately. Duarte is devastated by his mother's seemingly lecherous connivance with his assailant. It emerges that her delight is in the chance, absolved form her earlier promise, to denounce Rutillio to the Governor and see him executed for the murder. Inwardly, she is incensed and offended by Rutillio's advances; she now first sees Rutillio by daylight and instantly admires both his looks and noble character. Her delight that her son fell to an honorable opponent turns to regret when Rutillio's frank confession to the Governor, together with his sympathy for her grief, movers her to love and admire his willing surrender to justice. Duarte reveals himself, still alive, and Guiomar is able to marry Rutillio to her heart's content, and with the blessing of her reconciled son.

HIPPOLYTA
A rich and beautiful lady, sister to the Duke of Ferrara (by inference, therefore, of the powerful D'Este dynasty). Her residence in Lisbon is not explained further: it seems most likely that she is an independent heiress (if a typical lecherous widow, this is not made clear) now living abroad and indulging her libido freely, as her attempted seduction of Arnoldo suggests. She is loved by the sea captain, Leopold, who sends the captive Zenocia to be her slave and plead for his unrequited cause. She employs the Jew, Zabulon, as her procurer, inviting the destitute but highly attractive Italian refugee to her home. She has huge wealth and greatly sensual décor with which to augment her persistent allure: all her temptations fail to work beyond the point of kissing, and in her anger she attempts to take Arnoldo by force. He escapes and she takes revenge by having him condemned to death as a thief of the rich jewels she actually gave him. Frantic at this hasty decision, she rushes to prevent the execution and confesses. As she is held in great esteem in the city, a munificent benefactress of public works, her sterling civic record allows her to escape without punishment. Arnoldo has seen his bride in her train, and she is fooled into believing his offered attentions. Spying on his reunion with Zenocia, she arranges to have her rival strangled: Zabulon provides the assassins, who are forestalled by the timely arrival of a rescue. She then plots again to murder Zenocia, using Sulpitia, the male-brothel keeper, to perform a murderous magical spell, which will remove Arnoldo's prior love and allow her a second chance to seduce and marry him. When Arnoldo sickens to death in sympathy with his bride, showing his utter devotion to his dying wife, Hippolyta recants her intention, causes the spell to be broken and again escapes the consequences of her crime with impunity, passing as the couple's genuine saviour. The huge sum of money she had lent the city she now gives to Zenocia as a dowry, and the newly-chastened and chaste Hippolyta finally takes the hand of the still-willing Leopold.

JAQUES
Servant to Sulpitia, her right-hand man in the running of her male brothel. He gives her the current news of the failing workforce at her disposal and seconds her appraisal of Rutillio as a promising stud for her establishment. Having been bought into her service, Rutillio is grossly overworked and Jaques attempts to intercede for the debilitated man. His pity for Rutillio's exhaustion is overborne by Sulpitia's immediate greed and she ignores Jaques's repeated warnings not to wear out yet another prize attraction too quickly for her long-term investment in him. He is not present when Duarte bails Rutillio from his bondage, nor when Sulpitia performs her other function as a witch in Hippolyta's employment.

LEOPOLD
A sea captain, and frankly, a successful pirate, in unrequited love with Hippolyta. His offshore career results in the capture of Zenocia, Arnoldo and Rutillio, intercepted in their flight from Clodio. An honorable but ruthless buccaneer, he admires in retrospect the valor of the two men who tried to preserve their freedom against overwhelming odds, as well as their leap into the sea to avoid the humiliation of capture (leaving Zenocia in his clutches). Leopold comforts her with the assurance that the pair could easily swim safely to shore from there. He fails to learn from her birthplace (the mysterious 'country' of the play's title), but, suitably impressed by her bearing and beauty, decides to use her as a gift to Hippolyta, with the task of interceding for him romantically. Zenocia makes no progress with this, as Hippolyta is currently infatuated with her missing husband, Arnoldo. Leopold spies on Hippolyta's attempted seduction, recognises Arnoldo as his former prisoner, and seethes with resentment. He hires a Bravo, with the help of Zabulon, to assault and maim his rival; he also identifies to Zabulon the connection between the separated couple, with the intention of discouraging Hippolyta from her new lust, in scorn to be a rival to her own slave. This fails, but the Bravo's help is not required, as further eavesdropping on Leopold's part on the reunion of the newly-weds allows him to learn of Arnoldo's true love for his bride and hatred of Hippolyta and her lecherous machinations. He leaves the scene and therefore misses the opportunity to witness his mistress's first attempt to have Zenocia murdered. He subsequently apologises in the presence of the Governor for having taken prisoner a citizen of an allied nation, and Zenocia regains her freedom. He is also unaware that Hippolyta tries a second time to murder Zenocia, by magic, and is only conveniently on hand when she recants her previously debauched ways (not mentioning the homicidal impulses, which they happily but unknowingly share) and offers her chastened hand to him, which he gratefully accepts.

MANUEL de SOSA
The Governor of Lisbon, brother to Guiomar and long-suffering uncle to Duarte. With his sister, he fails to curtail Duarte's arrogance and brawling behavior. He welcomes the Count Clodio and Charino to Lisbon, offering his support and permitting their continuing search for the missing refugees in disguise. He first learns of Duarte's miraculous survival when attending the execution for theft of the unknown Arnoldo, deciding to keep the secret of his nephew's cure both publicly, and specifically from his sister, for unspecified reasons. He releases the condemned prisoner on Hippolyta's confession of framing him; reproving her near-fatal false allegation but pardoning her on account of her previous generous loan to civic funds. He leads Clodio and Charino to Hippolyta's house, where Zenocia is saved from strangulation and freed by him, as the citizen of an allied nation, together with her husband. Next seen, the Governor is lamenting with his foreign guests the sudden illness of Zenocia, which they do not know has been magically procured by Hippolyta. He advises patience, offers his own doctors and gives is opinion that in cases of true love, as seems to be happening, both partners will sicken and die of an illness afflicting either. He calmly receives the sudden news that his recently bereaved sister is to marry, and as calmly receives Guiomar's demand for justice against her prospective bridegroom, the presumed and self-confessed killer of his nephew. He is delighted when Duarte's timely reappearance permits his sister's wedding to proceed, and on the successful cure of Zenocia and Arnoldo, is quick to offer to host a reception for all the happy couples and their friends.

MEN
Three men, exhausted former employees of Sulpitia's brothel. Jaques, Sulpitia's servant, previously describes four former resident prostitutes as variously a Frenchman, a Dane, a Rutter (German) and an Englishman; the three could be any of these four, or otherwise. They appear wearing night-caps to stress their invalid status. The unnamed victims of Sulpitia's debilitating régime, now pox-ridden and feeble with their exertions, who come briefly to visit their successor, Rutillio, at the point when his own labours as a prostitute are beginning to undermine his health and strength. Their appearance confirms to Rutillio his urgent need to escape his fate as Sulpitia's prize stud.

PAGE, DUARTE'S
Unnamed Page to Duarte. He reports various items of gossip to his master, which confirm his reputation as a braggart duellist and pre-eminently stylish courtier. Most importantly, he passes on the news that Don Alonzo has slighted Duarte, which later provokes the quarrel between them where Duarte is injured, apparently killed, at the intervention of Rutillio.

RUTILLO
A Roman gentleman, older brother to Arnoldo and travelling with him to the unknown 'country' of the title. A promiscuous and cheerful bachelor of thirty, he is an unruly, outspoken but endearing hero. His loyalty to Arnoldo, despite his bawdy teasing, is first proven during their escape from Zenocia's homeland; his courage, in fighting pirates against overwhelming odds, and his resilience in the various adventures that befall him after the brothers swim to destitute refuge in Lisbon, where they part company. With his skills as a swordsman, and sense of honor, he intervenes in a strangers' quarrel and defeats Duarte in a fair fight to defend an unarmed man, apparently killing him. Rutillio, now frankly terrified, takes refuge from the law in a nearby house and by chance is given sanctuary by Guiomar, his victim's mother. Her unswerving piety, in honoring her given promise to protect him, and generosity in giving him money with which to escape, demonstrate to him a strength of character, in an older woman, which has previously been unknown to the feckless philanderer. He is deeply impressed, and grateful to her. Dissolute habits dying hard, however, he is next seen under arrest, having celebrated his escape with a drinking binge and fallen into an open cellar containing the city's munitions. The charge of spying and the threat of dire punishments to follow fill him with tipsy indignation: Sulpitia intervenes and bails him on the spot as a likely recruit for her male brothel. He is in the mood to make light both of his financial debt to her and of his promised future as a sex-worker. Rutillio anticipates nothing but delight in the unlimited and varied sex this will provide, and does not for a moment doubt his own stamina. Sulpitia is impressed by his abilities, little inclined to go easy on her best and newest worker, whose virility has turned round her ailing business. Next seen, though, he has been worked to exhaustion, bewilderment and total revulsion for the insatiable appetites of his customers. Three former prostitutes visit him, pox-ridden and invalided out of the trade themselves, and show his what his future will hold if he does not escape. He begins to long for honest marriage for the first time in his life, but has no money to pay Sulpitia for his release. He is befriended by the disguised Duarte, having unknowingly earned his gratitude for the near-fatal injury, which has reformed the errant braggart. Rutillio sends Duarte with a presumptuous love-letter to Guiomar, not knowing that she is the mother of his new benefactor. He proposes to woo her honestly, if smugly, but has again underestimated a woman's capacity, this time for maternal grief and revenge. Her invitation is a trap but she now falls in love with him at first sight, further moved by his honest gratitude and confession of guilt. He shows a noble willingness to die to give her justice: Duarte's revelation solves everything and allows them to be married - Guiomar taking the initiative of claiming him- to both their contents. Rutillio is reunited with his equally happy brother, foreswearing his profligate life and admitting his conversion to the state of contented wedlock.

SAILORS
In the service of Leopold, sea captain and, frankly, pirate. Only one old salt speaks, to fill in details of the desperate but unsuccessful fight by Arnoldo and Rutillio to save their small boat, and with it Zenocia, from capture.

SERVANT
Unnamed Servant in Guiomar's house (possibly, though not necessarily the Page who attended Duarte earlier). The Servant rejoices to learn that Duarte still lives and agrees to keep the secret until Duarte permits its revelation.

SULPITIA
As keeper of a male brothel, an independent and immoral businesswoman: her ruthless treatment of the prostitutes in her domain, overworking them to exhaustion, is made clear by her servant Jaques. She is shrewd enough to spot a likely sex-worker in Rutillio, and rich enough to pay his bail on the spot, to engage his services. She works him to exhaustion too, reminding him, with threats, of his financial obligation when he attempts to complain. Her relationship with Zabulon, servant (and procurer) to Hippolyta is not clear, but is plainly intimate: he is said sometimes to lie at her brothel as his home, although both are so wrapped up in business matters that they express little or no affection for eachother. It may be inferred that she is his mistress, rather than his wife, as they both show little regard for either the law or sexual propriety. If she is also Jewish, the fact is not made explicit. Sulpitia is also a part-time witch, employed by Hippolyta. She fails to alter Arnoldo's affections by her black magic, but casts a spell of fatal illness on Zenocia, all of which she performs without compunction. She lifts the spell as easily on Hippolyta's command. Though the extent of Hippolyta's corrupt dealings with necromancy remains secret at the end of the play, she makes a point of offering to provide financially for both Sulpitia and Zabulon to enable them to live honestly hereafter. This may be seen as an attempt to forestall blackmail, as the couple are largely defined by their unscrupulous cupidity, or it may be an honest gesture resulting from Hippolyta's genuine repentance. Their acceptance of her condition to go straight may be equally sincere, but would be inconsistent with their cynical and successful partnership as previously seen.

ZABULON
A Jew, in charge of Hippolyta's household, and her intimate confidant. He is unscrupulous and vicious in her service, extremely efficient, and remarkably lucky in his several escapes from the law for crimes committed in her service. He regards Sulpitia's brothel as his home, however, whatever the nature of his relationship to the latter. He acts specifically as Hippolyta's procurer, whether of sexual partners, useful experts in violent crime, or black magic. He approaches the destitute Arnoldo with money and an invitation to her house, gently reproves Rutillio for his offhand anti-Semitic remarks, and entices Arnoldo to Hippolyta's intended seduction. He is equally willing to frame Arnoldo on a capital charge when he rejects her, and is only spared punishment because of his mistress's protection. He also provides a Bravo for Leopold's planned attack on Arnoldo. Zabulon's skill as a spy enables him to inform Hippolyta of Arnoldo and Zenocia's relationship; he provides stranglers to murder Zenocia when his mistress desires it. When Hippolyta is thwarted by the couple's rescue, it is Zabulon who persists in scheming to satisfy her: he first suggests the recourse to murderous black magic which he knows Sulpitia can provide, again on condition that his mistress protect him from the law. The extent of Hippolyta's corrupt dealings with necromancy remains secret at the end of the play, she makes a point of offering to provide financially for both Sulpitia and Zabulon to enable them to live honestly hereafter. This may be seen as an attempt to forestall blackmail, as the couple are largely defined by their unscrupulous cupidity, or it may be an honest gesture resulting from Hippolyta's genuine repentance. Their acceptance of her condition to go straight may be equally sincere, but would be inconsistent with their cynical and successful partnership as previously seen.

ZENOCIA
Daughter of Charino, chaste and constant wife to Arnoldo. Although modest, she is fiercely outspoken: firstly, in defense of her decision to marry an Italian stranger, despite her father's misgivings. She resists his attempt, under compulsion, to give herself entirely to the lustful Count Clodio, who is intending to ruin her honor and happiness with the 'custom' of droit de seigneur. Between the wedding and the customary rape, she flees the country with her husband and brother-in-law. Their small boat is attacked by pirates, and the two men fail to defend her from capture. Alone and defenseless, she is enslaved by Leopold, who cannot persuade her to reveal her identity or nationality. In Lisbon (where her husband is also a refugee) Leopold gives her to his beloved but indifferent mistress, Hippolyta, persuading Zenocia to use all opportunities to plead for his love. Hippolyta's attempted seduction of Arnoldo failing, he is framed as a thief and sentenced to death. Zenocia accompanies her mistress to the abortive execution, sees Arnoldo apparently reconciled with Hippolyta and fears for his fidelity to her, as he, seeing her, fears for her chastity in such a sexually promiscuous house. Their happy reunion is prolonged by mutual suspicions of unchastity: Zenocia is the bolder in offering to give her own husband to her mistress, if that would make him happier, but on condition that they never meet again. His refusal confirms to her that his love for her is true. Hippolyta, having overheard all, sends stranglers to murder Zenocia- again she speaks out for honour above her life, when Arnoldo offers himself to Hippolyta to save her from a violent death. This threat is averted by the arrival of the Governor, her father and the now-repentant Count, who have pursued them. Seemingly reunited at last, Zenocia is struck down with a fatal charm worked on Hippolyta's orders, and seems likely to die of a lingering illness. Arnoldo falls equally ill in perfect sympathy, and to save him, Hippolyta recants. Their true love is so moving that she also gives the couple a huge dowry to start their happy married life together at last.

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