She Stoops to Conquer

She Stoops to Conquer was first performed at Covent Garden Theatre in London on March 15,1773. It was well received. Over the last two centuries, it has become one of the most popular comedies in English literary history. It is still performed often today throughout the English-speaking world.

This comic masterpiece mocked the simple morality of sentimental comedies. Subtitled The Mistakes of a Night, this lighthearted farce that derives its charm from the misunderstandings which entangle the well-drawn characters.

She Stoops to Conquer

The Continued Popularity ofShe Stoops to Conquer

Goldsmith wrote the play to provide enjoyment and he achieved his aim of amusing and entertaining people so successfully his play is still performed to the delight of audiences today. She Stoops to the Conquer has great humour, a charming style and a well developed construction.

From the very moment that Tony gives the misleading directions to the visitors from the town, the audiences know that it is to witness a feast of comedy. In fact, there is hardly a moment in the play when we are not entertained by what goes or is described. A distinctive quality of the humour of the play is the fact that it is mostly ironic, for at any given moment these is always some character or the other who is unaware of the fact that he is being befooled.

In addition to the seriousness of the underlying theme, it is the brisk pace of the incidents of the play and the fun and humour provided by its dialogues and situations which had given it its continued popularity and its enduring appeal. It is, quite simply, funny.

She Stoops to Conquer

Goldsmith (among others) wanted to revive restoration comedies

Wanted to mock vice rather than praise virtue

Contains both satire and farce

Can be argued that it includes elements of sentimental comedy too

Finally, the play is often published with a sub-title, as She Stoops to Conquer, or the Mistakes of a Night. The sub-title was originally its working title, but perhaps due to evoking too strongly Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Goldsmith re-titled the play.

Restoration Comedy

Refers to pieces written during reign of Charles II which focus on reactions against Puritanism, receptiveness of French influence, and dominance of classical point of view and composition (five Act development)

Also known as comedy of manners (generally pokes fun at the upper class society’s manners, values, fashions, and way of life, in a way that is basically true to its tradition and philosophy)

Ridicules the pretensions of those who think they are socially superior

Laughing comedy – mocks human vice

Celebration of absurdity as a fact of human life

Constructed to satirise the people watching

Focuses on materialistic nature, endless desire for gossip and hypocritical behaviour or attitudes.

Involves both satire and farce

Sentimental Comedy

Dramatic genre of the 18th Century

Middle class protagonists overcome a series of moral trials

Based on the principle that humans are essentially good but can be led astray by bad examples

A man could be put back on the right road by an appeal to his noble sentiments

Money is irrelevant to true love

The “love duel” or “love game” includes at least one pair of lovers

Comedy of Intrigue

It is mainly a situational comedy which depends largely upon tricks in the plot. It has love as its theme. The very basis of the play is an intrigue. It provides humour, but are necessary for furthering the sub-plot of Kate & Marlow, Constance & Hastings.

The main intriguer of the play is Tony

Tony's tricks upon the guests, his mother

Constance joined Tony in the intrigue to deceive Mrs. Hardcastle that they are in love as she wants

Hastings and Constance are joined in the intrigue to keep Marlow under the illusion that the house is an inn

Kate is also a part of the same intrigue, though she has additional motive of making Marlow mistake her for a barmaid

Dramatic Irony

The play is a masterpiece of dramatic irony,

a device where the audience has information and knowledge that the characters do not.

A distinctive quality of the humor of the play is the fact that it is mostly ironic, for at any given moment there is always some character or the other who is unaware of the fact that he is being deceived

From the moment Tony plays the practical joke on Marlow and Hastings, the audience learns secrets that will grow more complicated and hence create confusion that leads to hilarious situations

Prologue

She Stoops to Conquer opens with a prologue in which an actor mourns the death of the classical low comedy at the altar of sentimental, “Tearful comedy.”

He hopes that Dr. Goldsmith can cure this problem through the play about to be presented.

Prologue

In the 18th century, it was usual for a prologue to be given before the performance of a play .This prologue was written by David Garrik , the famous actor and manager of a theater. The actor performed the original dressed in black, and holding a handkerchief to his eyes in mourning for the “comic muse.”

Goldsmith makes clear his dislike of 'sentimental comedy'

He argues that true comedy is dying because of “sentimental comedy,” and Goldsmith has come to save it using the idea of five remedies, corresponding to the five acts of the play, he claims that comedy will be cured

The argument is an extended metaphor. Comedy is the patient dying of sentimentalism. Goldsmith is the doctor who is trying to cure it and the audience will decide if he succeeds or not.

A summary

Mr. Hardcastle plans to marry his daughter Kate to the bashful son of his friend Sir Charles Marlow.

Mrs. Hardcastle wants her son Tony Lumpkin to marry her niece Constance Neville, who is in love with Marlow’s friend Hastings.

Humorous situations occur when Tony misleads Marlow and Hastings into believing that Mr. Hardcastle’s home is an inn.

By pretending as a maid, Kate wins the heart of Marlow, who is uncomfortable in the company of wellborn women but is flirtatious with barmaids. Through various deceptions, Tony releases himself from his mother’s clutches and unites Constance with Hastings.

ACT 1 ACT 1, SC.1 : An Old-Fashioned House of the Hardcastle

the play is opened in the house of Mr. & Mrs. Hardcastle somewhere in the country side. A conversation between Mr.& Mrs. Hardcastle sets the play.Goldsmith gives plenty of information concerning character , situation and plot so that the audience can predict what is likely to happen . The following information is given :

The relationships of the characters : Mr & Mrs. Hardcastle, her son Tony by a first husband, and their daughter Kate; the situation of Constance Neville

The nature of the characters : Mrs. Hardcastle's pretensions , Mr. Hardcastle's traditionalism, Kate's intelligence and practicality. Tony is established as spoilt, drinking , illiterate and, immature silly country boy whose mother plans to marry him to Constance

The situation : the Hardcastles are preparing for the arrival of the son of Sir Charles Marlow, a family friend , as the prospective suitor of Kate.

The playwright here sets the situation up and offers a clue as to what might happen next. The conversation between Mr & Mrs. Hardcastle which shows their contrasted personalities was a source of humour. Kate's nature gives us a different view of women from that in the earlier Restoration comedies

ACT1, SC2 : An Alehouse Room

Tony Lumpkin : Tony plays his joke

Tony's joke on Marlow and Hardcastle sets the mistakes of the night in motion

The plot begins with Tony misdirecting Marlow and Hastings, thus setting up the central joke of mistaken identities. Tony's character here is expanded and the whole atmosphere is humorous. From this scene it is advisable to jot down notes about Tony and observe how Goldsmith builds his character through the play to be more than just an immature , silly country boy. The landlord's comment at the end of the scene suggests that Tony has a reputation as a prankster or joker. Tony's description of his sister and his step father is also a source of humour.

Consider the following issues

The use of a prologue in outlining the author's aim

Significance of Mr. Hardcastle's description of the house in establishing the possibility of the joke that follows.

Miss Neviille's description of Marlow's character that enables the deception to occur

The information given by Goldsmith , through his characters, that lays the foundations for the plot and sub-plot .

The use of rural names and descriptions to create humour and comment on the social situation of the time.

ACT 2 : An Old- Fashioned House

Preparations : The squire, Mr. Hardcastle and his servants

Hardcastle's efforts to train his servants in the art of waiting at a table provide a considerable humour of clowning and comment on rustic social life

More evidence also of his character is given ,the servants obviously like him and not frightened of him which shows that he is a good-natured traditional country gentleman

The reception : Marlow and Hastings reach the inn

Marlow and Hastings , believing they have arrived an inn, act as customers which confuses Mr. Hardcastle as he expects them to behave like respectful guests. From this misunderstanding , a certain amount of comedy arises. Hardcastle a attempts a conversation with his guests but is interrupted and ignored impudently with requests and criticisms about the menu for supper and the state of the rooms which arises the dramatic irony of the situation.

Marlow and Hastings discuss the problem Marlow has with women of his own class and his admiration of lower-class women. There is social comment on the position of women of lower classes particularly female servants who were the victims of the desires of the family sons at that time.

ACT 2 : An Old- Fashioned House

Revelation : Hastings enters into the joke

This scene sets up-the relationship between Constance and Hastings. Hastings, in his conversation with Marlow , explains that he had her dead father's permission to marry her and he loves her for her own person and not for her fortune.

The truth is revealed to Hastings that the inn is the house of Mr. Hardcastle. Hastings explains to Constance his plan for their elopement to France. But Constance wants first to get her jewels from her aunt and then leaves with him.

Hasting decides to continue deceiving Marlow about the Hardcastle's house as an inn.

The elopement and the attempt to obtain the jewels form the basis of the comic sub-plot

Marlow's first meeting with Kate

Unable to look her in the face, finding talking with her uneasy, confusing and embarrassing, his broken language reflects his reserved and modest manners in dealing with women of his own class. His shyness and embarrassment determines Kate to 'teach him little confidence'

Tony's willingness to help Hastings & Constance to get married

When Hastings realizes that Tony doesn't want to marry Constance, he asks for his help with the elopement. Tony is pleased to help and offers to obtain the jewels.

ACT 2 : An Old- Fashioned House

Consider the following issues

The structure of the act and the way in which the two plots are furthered

The contrast between Marlow's behavior with Kate as a ' barmaid' and when he meets her as Miss Hardcastle

The comic relationship between Tony and Constance

The character of Tony and whether he is more than just a simple joker

The conversation between Hastings and Mrs. Hardcastle and the way in which this draws out both characters

ACT 3

The height of the confusion in comedy occurs in Act 3 and Act 4

Dissatisfaction : Father and Daughter

the opening sequence shows Kate and Hardcastle discussing their views of Marlow. Hardcastle is totally offended by the disrespectful behavior of his old friend 's son, Marlow , unable to understand his ill-manners. They discuss their different opinions of Marlow. Kate finds him modest and respectful while her father find's him immodest and impudent .However , they agree to investigate the matter further.

Tony's Trick : Tony's vital action in the sub-plot of Constance & Hastings elopement Tony has been able to steal Miss Neville's casket of jewels from his mother's bureau and gives it to Hastings . obviously this sets up the next joke when Mrs. Hardcastle discovers their loss and considerable humor is obtained as a result of the clowning interchange between Tony and his mother .

Miss Hardcastle's Disguise : Kate’s stooping to Conquer

Kate sets up the situation for Marlow who believed her to be barmaid because of her house’ s wife dress. Attracted to her beauty , he begins to flirt outrageously. Marlow's attempted seduction of Kate as a servant has social comment on the position of women of low classes , for Marlow's ability to flirt outrageously with them means that he values them less. During that time , female servants were abused and mistreated by employers and the sons of high class families.

ACT 3

Consider the following issues of Act 3

Look at the various ways in which Goldsmith uses comedy such as : verbal wit, situation comedy , and clowning in quick succession to maintain the interest of his audience.

Several references are indicated to remind the audience of the timescale

The way that the different sides of Marlow are shown

Kate's ability to control the continued deception of Marlow to achieve her goal

The development of Tony's character and the way in which he helps Constance to get her jewels

Consider the social position of women as shown by Marlow's treatment of Kate as barmaid , and Constance's position in the Hardcastle family

The development of the main plot and sub-plot of the play

ACT 4

Marlow & Hastings: The Fate of the jewels

The scene opens with the sub-blot of Constance Neville and Hastings. Hastings and Constance have decided to leave before the arrival of Sir Charles Marlow who is expected to arrive in the evening. Unfortunately Hasting’s, plan of elopement with the casket of jewels has been failed. Marlow ,with whom Hastings has left the casket of jewels, passes it to the landlady ,for safe keeping .Having deceived his friend all this time, Hastings is unable to say anything

Marlow realizes his mistake

Mr. Hardcastle, irritated by the impudent behavior of Marlow which he couldn't endure any longer, warns Marlow that he would report his behavior to his father, Sir Charles Marlow , who would be arriving soon. Marlow realizes , with horror, the mistake he has made. Marlow is incredibly embarrassed not only by his disrespectful treatment of Hardcastle but also because of his intentions to seduce Kate

The Fatal Letter

The elopement plot is revealed to Mrs. Hardcastle. Hastings sends a letter to Tony, not knowing that he is almost illiterate , Tony passes it to Mrs. Hardcastle who decides to send Constance to live with her aunt, Pedigree, whom she hates

The act concludes in confusion. Tony has the last word and resolves to sort out the situation . The audience are left to consider how the two plots might be resolved in Act 5.

ACT 4 The structure of the act : Goldsmith uses farce. Structurally , the

act , with its many exits and entrances, resemble a farce . As one character leaves , another enters and the comedy occurs because characters don't meet

This act is full of features of farce, not only are there mistaken identities , the muddle with the jewels allows the audience to know more than any of the characters

The act also contains a good example of traditional clowning in the exchange between Tony and his mother

Humour is also created in the incident with the letter to Tony. Not only the audience laughs at Tony's illiteracy, but also of Constance's vain attempts to rescue the arrangement she has planned with Hastings

This scene has been cleverly constructed to push the sub-plot further towards its climax while keeping the audience interested in the main plot which will also move further. The action speeds up as the act proceeds , becoming faster and more comic as one incident leads to another. The act concludes with Tony stating that he is going to resolve the situation, leaving the audience in suspense for Act 5

Consider the following issues

The way in which Marlow begins to change his attitude towards Kate

The growing development of the sub-plot

The clever way in which Goldsmith enables Marlow to discover part of the truth

ACT 5Act 5, Sc 1: Sir Charles Marlow arrives. The arrival of Sir Charles is announced and the two men ,

Sir Charles & Mr. Hardcastle , discuss young Marlow's mistake with good humor .Further confusion is caused by whether Marlow has behaved improperly with Kate or not

The idea of mistaken identity is continued , despite Marlow knowing that he is in the house of his father's friend . The audience is reminded that Marlow still doesn't know that the girl with whom he falls in love is the same girl he is intended to marry so , he believes that there are two women: Kate and the poor relation. This gives rise to further confusion and humour

This mistake forms the basis of the misunderstanding between Marlow and Hardcastle the two men, Sir Charles and Mr. Hardcastle , decide to hide while Kate shows them that Marlow loves her

Sc2: Tony's plan : Tony and his mother . As the main plot, involving Marlow and Kate, Comes to a conclusion , so the sub-plot begins to achieve its comic climax . This scene is set at the bottom of the garden Tony tells Hastings and the audience that his trick to prevent his mother's plan has worked . When she realizes the true situation she chases Tony off stage. Meanwhile , Constance decides to appeal to Mr. Hardcastle, refusing the idea of elopement

SC3 : Marlow and Kate: The play returns to the main plot. Kate reassures the two old men that observing here with Marlow will explain everything . At this point, Marlow becomes aware of Kate's true identity

Happy Endings: Loose ends are tied up very quickly with the arrival of Constance , Hasting and Tony. Mr. Hardcastle tells Tony that he came of age and that he can marry whoever he chooses. The play ends happily with two marriages and two happy families

Commentary

Overhearing is a common comic device used in drama to create misunderstanding and further the plot , so the old men spying on Kate and Marlow not only creates humour for the audience but helps the plot come to a realistic conclusion

The use of language, comic names and accounts of duck ponds and oldlady to describe Mrs. Hardcastle creates humour and makes the appearance of the woman funnier , particularly bearing in mind how 'fashion conscious ' she is

Morality of the conclusion

In order not to offend a conservative audience and lose sympathy for Constance, it is important that she decides not to elope but to appeal to the mercy of the elders which confirms the respectability and wisdom of her character and by which she wins the sympathy of the audience .

Marlow's decision to ask his father's permission to marry a woman of lower class, be believing that love is more important , shows strength of character and confidence in his father's judgment.

Despite Goldsmith's opinion about 'sentimental comedy' it is argued that there are elements of sentimentality in the final act. The two pairs of lovers are united and about to be married .Tony is happy with his inheritance and the Three pigeons and the comic dame has been thwarted comically. it all ends happily.

Act 5