The Knight of the Burning Pestle: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Knight of the Burning Pestle" is a satirical play that centers around a grocer named George, who takes his wife Nell and their servant Ralph to the theater. George insists on incorporating his profession into the play, leading to a humorous interplay between the audience and the stage action. The characters are a mix of ordinary townsfolk and romantic figures, such as Ralph, who portrays the titular knight, aiming to win honor and favor by rescuing damsels in distress. Other significant characters include Venturewell, a quick-tempered merchant thwarted by his own daughter Luce and her lover Jasper, who embody both romantic ideals and comedic folly. The play features a blend of naïveté and cunning, as characters like Nell and Jasper navigate their ambitions and desires. Through their interactions, the play explores themes of heroism, deception, and the absurdity of romantic ideals. This lively mix of characters and their dynamics contributes to a rich tapestry of humor and social commentary, making it a noteworthy exploration of early modern English theater.
The Knight of the Burning Pestle: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Francis Beaumont
First published: 1613
Genre: Play
Locale: England and Moldavia
Plot: Comedy
Time: Early seventeenth century
A citizen (George), a London grocer. He takes his wife and servant to the theater and insists that the actors include in their play the exploits of some member of his profession. He frequently comments on the progress of the action, reassures his wife, and suggests at intervals additional adventures for his hero.
Nell, his naïve wife, who is given to malapropisms. Deeply concerned for the welfare of the characters in the play, she alternately advises them, sympathizes with them, and discusses their difficulties with her devoted husband.
Ralph (or Rafe), their servant, well known for his histrionic talents. Encouraged by his mistress, he steps into the play within the play as George's grocer-hero, the Knight of the Burning Pestle. The knight is, like Don Quixote, an avid reader of romances, and he resolves to win honor and the favor of his lady, Susan, “the cobbler's maid in Milk Street,” by rescuing distressed damsels. His heroic efforts to aid Mistress Merrythought and Humphrey are doomed to failure, but he wins, in his own view, a signal victory over the giant Barbaroso, the village barber.
Tim and George, the knight's witty apprentices. They accompany him on his adventures, acting as his squire and his dwarf, and take great delight in using the courtly phrases their master teaches them.
Venturewell, a strong-minded, quick-tempered London merchant. He is continually infuriated by his apprentice Jasper and his daughter, who thwart his plan to marry the girl to a foolish but wealthy tradesman. Cowardly at heart, he is gulled by Jasper, who appears to him as a ghost, and he agrees at last to allow the marriage of the young couple.
Luce, his daughter. She speaks to Jasper in the extravagant language of a romantic heroine, but she participates in his schemes to deceive her father with a resourcefulness that marks her as the pert tradesman's daughter she is.
Jasper, her sweetheart, Venturewell's brash young apprentice. He also plays the romantic figure, especially when he threatens Luce with death to test her constancy. He readily dispenses with his heroics when he beats Ralph and, later, plays dead to trick his master.
Humphrey, Luce's well-meaning, rather unintelligent suitor, who inevitably finds himself at the wrong end of a cudgel, outwitted by Jasper. Even Venturewell, his staunch supporter, is turned against him in the end. He speaks in rhymed couplets that heighten the effect of his stupidity.
Merrythought, Jasper's impecunious father. He lives convinced that there will be food and drink on his table in time for his next meal and meets every experience, good or bad, with a song.
Mistress Merrythought, his shrewish wife. She refuses her blessing to Jasper and, to spite him, leaves home with her favored younger son and the money she has saved for the child. Her husband rejoices at her departure and forces her, much to her chagrin, to sing to him before he will let her return.
Michael, her young son.
Tapster and Host, attendants at the Bell Inn, where Ralph visits. They refuse to enter so fully into the spirit of chivalry that they will overlook the twelve shillings the knight owes them, but they gleefully propose a quest for him, an attack on the giant, “ycleped Barbaroso.”
Nick, the barber, who participates willingly in the Host's game with Ralph.
The First Knight and the Second Knight (Sir Pockhole), the barber's patients, “prisoners” freed by Ralph and his squire.
Pompiona, the princess of Moldavia, who appears in one of the scenes suggested by George the grocer. The knight, loyal to his Susan, refuses her offer of her hand.
William Hammerton, a pewterer.
George Greengoose, a poulterer. He and Hammerton are members of a troop of soldiers whom Ralph leads through the city, following another of George the grocer's requests.