The Gentleman Dancing-Master: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Gentleman Dancing-Master" features a complex interplay of relationships and deceptions centered around the characters of Mr. James Formal, his daughter Hippolita, her suitor Mr. Paris, and Mr. Gerrard. Mr. Formal, who adopts Spanish customs to impress others, is overly proud and restricts Hippolita’s freedom, believing he is protecting her. Despite being engaged to Mr. Paris, Hippolita secretly falls for Mr. Gerrard, whom she meets from her balcony. She cleverly collaborates with her maid Prue and Mr. Gerrard to orchestrate her escape from the constraints of her father's strictness and her arranged marriage. Mr. Paris, affected by French airs, becomes an unwitting pawn in Hippolita’s plans, while Mr. Gerrard, disguised as a dancing master, takes advantage of Mr. Formal's pride to win Hippolita’s hand. Supporting characters, such as Mrs. Caution and Mr. Martin, contribute to the unfolding drama. The narrative explores themes of love, deception, and societal expectations, ultimately showcasing the lengths to which individuals will go for love amidst familial and cultural pressures.
The Gentleman Dancing-Master: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: William Wycherley
First published: 1673
Genre: Play
Locale: London, England
Plot: Satire
Time: Seventeenth century
Mr. James Formal, known as Don Diego, the father of Hippolita. Engaged in trade with the Spaniards, he is so enamored of their gallantry and pride that he attempts to imitate their manners and confines his daughter to her house in true Spanish fashion. Blinded by his pride, he allows himself to be duped by Hippolita and her allies to the point where, to save face, he must pretend to have been a willing collaborator in her plans to wed Mr. Gerrard.
Hippolita, the daughter of Mr. Formal. Although she is engaged to her cousin, Mr. Paris, and confined to her home by her father, she manages to become enamored of Mr. Gerrard, whom she sees from her balcony. Through a series of ruses, she, Mr. Gerrard, and her maid, Prue, contrive to deceive her father and her fiancé and bring about a wedding between her and her beloved.
Mr. Paris, the nephew of Mr. Formal and the approved suitor of Hippolita. Fresh from Paris, he affects French manners to the point of absurdity, and his silliness causes him to be the willing dupe of Hippolita in her love affair with Mr. Gerrard.
Mr. Gerrard, a young gentleman about town who courts Hippolita while disguised as a dancing master. His suit is aided by Mr. Formal's fierce Spanish pride in his ability to protect his daughter under his own roof. Mr. Gerrard marries the lady under the deceived parent's nose.
Mrs. Caution, Mr. James Formal's sister and Hippolita's duenna.
Prue, Hippolita's resourceful maid and ally.
Mistress Flirt, a prostitute by whom Mr. Paris is undone.
Mr. Martin, Mr. Gerrard's friend and ally.