The Feign'd Curtizans

Title page of The Feign'd Curtizans, London, 1679

The Feign'd Curtizans (or A Nights Intrigue) is a 1679 comedic stage play by the English author Aphra Behn. Behn dedicated the play, originally performed at the Duke's Company in London, to the well-known actress and mistress of King Charles II, Nell Gwyn.

Historical Context

Set in Rome, The Feign’d Curtizans was written and performed after the advent of the Popish Plot. The play is sympathetic to Catholicism during a time when declaring one’s Protestant beliefs was “politically expedient”.[1] Behn uses the English characters of Sir Signall Buffoon and Mr. Tickletext to satirize their nationalism and fear of Italian “Popery,” while portraying several Italian characters of quality as honorable and virtuous. Behn “emphasizes that, while Whiggish middle-class patriots are to be derided, upper-class good taste is international”.[2]

Characters

Italians

Englishmen

Women

Original Cast [3]

Summary

The play centers around two virtuous sisters, Marcella and Cornelia. Marcella has been promised to Octavio for marriage, but has fallen in love with Sir Henry Fillamour. Cornelia is bound for the convent. They have run away to Rome together, posing as courtesans named Euphemia and Silvianetta, so that they may be free to control their own futures.

When Fillamour and Galliard arrive in Rome, they notice the beautiful Marcella and Cornelia disguised as the courtesans Euphemia and Silvianetta. Galliard is taken by Silvianetta’s beauty, and Fillamour is struck by Euphemia’s resemblance to Marcella. He becomes conflicted, desiring to stay constant in his love for Marcella, but unable to resist Euphemia.

Meanwhile, Laura Lucretia, the sister of Octavio (Marcella’s betrothed), has fallen in love with Galliard. Knowing that he favors the courtesan named Silvianetta, Laura Lucretia disguises herself as Cornelia’s alter ego so as to secure Galliard’s affections. Having learned of Marcella’s adoration for Fillamour, Octavio pledges revenge against him. To keep Fillamour safe, Marcella disguises herself as a pageboy and attempts to divert him from going to meet Euphemia at a place where Octavio and his men are lying in wait.

In a comedic scene, Fillamour, Galliard, Signall, and Tickletext all stumble about in the dark trying to reach Silvianetta and Euphemia, but instead find themselves in a battle with Octavio and his supporters. During the same night, Laura Lucretia, dressed as Silvianetta, receives an oath of marriage from a man she believes to be Galliard, but is actually Julio.

Once in the daylight, all parties confront each other and identities are revealed. Fillamour professes his love for Marcella, who agrees to marry him after Octavio renounces his claim. Galliard and Cornelia also become engaged. Julio, who had made an oath of marriage to “Silvianetta,” discovers he has actually sworn himself to his already bride-to-be, Laura Lucretia.

References

  1. ↑ Janet Todd (1996). Aphra Bhen studies. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-47169-9.
  2. ↑ Derek Hughes, Janet Todd (2004). The Cambridge Companion to Aphra Behn. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-82019-7.
  3. ↑ "The feign'd curtizans, or, A nights intrigue. A comedy. As it is acted at the Dukes theatre. Written by Mrs. A. Behn".
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