THE CONTENTION FOR HONOR AND RICHES
(Same as Honoria and Mammon of 1658)
circa 1625–1632
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
AARON
Only mentioned. The Biblical Aaron wore heavily decorated vestments for temple service. Here, the reference is one used by soldiers to refer to state ornaments and honors: "pomegranates in old Aaron's coat."
ARISTOTLE
Only mentioned. Ancient Greek philosopher mentioned by Riches, who considers Aristotle to have been "rank-smelling," as are all scholars.
CLOD
Clod is a countryman and an aging suitor of Lady Riches. He claims to love Riches deeply, and he argues with Gettings over who loves Riches the most and deserves her best. He challenges Gettings, but the arrival of Foul-Weather-in-Harvest ruins Clod's appetite for fighting.
COURTIER
This unnamed Courtier courts Lady Honour and argues with the Soldier about which man loves the lady best. "Phantasm" and "Master Cringe" are terms used by the Soldier to refer to the Courtier.
FOUL-WEATHER-IN-HARVEST
This character's limited function is to enter at the moment when Clod and Gettings would duel. Foul-Weather-in-Harvest's entrance ruins Clod's appetite for fighting.
GETTINGS
Gettings is a rich and aging suitor of Lady Riches. He argues with Clod about who loves Riches the most and deserves her best. He and Clod set up for a duel, but the arrival of the Long-Vacation character ruins Gettings' appetite for fighting.
HONESTY
Honesty is a woman who enters silently as the Soldier and the Courtier bicker. The Courtier hates Honesty and therefore will not fight the Soldier.
INGENUITY
Ingenuity is a scholar whose beloved Lady Honour requests an audience with Lady Riches, Because Honour has recently had a fall, Ingenuity offers his services to Riches, who roundly refuses him and scorns all scholars. Ingenuity, therefore, renews his vows to Lady Honour and eventually weds her.
JUDE
Only mentioned. A Biblical character, Jude is mentioned in passing by Clod.
LADY HONOUR
Lady Honour is presented as having recently taken a fall, and she requests an audience with Lady Riches. Lady Honour isn't won with fancy phrases such as those poured out by the Soldier, and she tells the competing suitors Soldier and Courtier that they must fight for Honour. Near the play's end, Lady Honour weds Ingenuity, helping to stop the fighting between the Soldier and Courtier.
LADY RICHES
The vain Lady Riches refuses Ingenuity's request that she visit Lady Honour, naming gout as her excuse. Riches brags that she doesn't come to everyone who desires her company, and as she encourages Clod and Gettings to argue and fight over her, she also spurns Ingenuity, claiming a disdain for all scholars. At one point Riches chooses Gettings as husband, promising then to wed Clod after Gettings dies.
LONG-VACATION
This character's limited function is to enter at the moment when Clod and Gettings would duel. Long-Vacation's entrance ruins Gettings' appetite for fighting.
MASTER CRINGE
Master Cringe is a name used by the Soldier to refer to the Courtier.
MASTER VOICE
Master Voice is a name used by the Courtier to refer to the Soldier.
NO-PAY
This character's limited function is to enter at the moment when the Soldier and the Courtier would duel. No-Pay's entrance ruins the Soldier's appetite for fighting.
PHANTASM
Phantasm is a name used by the Soldier to refer to the Courtier.
ST. PETER
Only mentioned. Catholic church founder and Biblical apostle, St. Peter is mentioned in passing by Gettings as he denigrates Clod.
SIMON
Only mentioned. A Biblical character, Simon is mentioned in passing by Clod.
SOLDIER
A suitor of Lady Honour, the Soldier's competition for Honour's affections is the Courtier. The two decide they must fight for Honour; as they begin, No-Pay enters and effectively ruins the Soldier's appetite for fighting.