Parasitaster, or The Fawn
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Parasitaster, or The Fawn is a play written by the dramatist and satirist John Marston in 1604, and performed by the boy players of the Blackfriars Theatre.
It tells the story of Duke Hercules, who disguises himself as a flattering courtier, the Fawn, in order to infiltrate the court of Duke Gonzago and observe the behaviour of his son Tiberio, who has been sent to Gonzago as an ambassador. In the process, Hercules observes the lechery of Gonzago's courtiers, who are all embroiled in seedy sexual adventures, and the vanity and stupidity of Gonzago himself, who is a pompous old windbag. At the play's conclusion, Hercules holds a symbolic Court of Cupid, in which all the foolish courtiers are arrested for their crimes against love and good sense.
It is often assumed that Duke Gonzago was intended as an unflattering portrait of James I of England, although it is not known whether the king took offence at this portrayal.
A 'parasitaster' is one who pretends to be a parasite.
[edit] References
Philip J. Finkelpearl, John Marston of the Middle Temple. Anthony Caputi, John Marston, Satirist.
