Love for Love: Analysis of Major Characters
"Love for Love" is a comedic play that explores themes of love, deception, and social status through a dynamic cast of characters. The central figure, Valentine Legend, is a young playwright in love with the clever and wealthy Angelica. Despite his debts and strained relationship with his father, Sir Sampson Legend, Valentine ultimately finds redemption and marries Angelica. Sir Sampson, intending to disinherit Valentine, is thwarted by his son's clever feigned madness. Other characters, such as Jeremy, Valentine’s cunning servant, and the lecherous creditor Trapland, add complexity to the narrative, highlighting the interplay of power and influence within relationships. Angelica’s uncle, Foresight, represents misguided wisdom, believing in astrology while realizing his own folly. Meanwhile, the subplot involving Valentine’s brother, Ben Legend, and Prue Foresight, along with the flirtations of Mrs. Foresight and the scheming Tattle, further enrich the comedic landscape. Overall, "Love for Love" presents a vivid portrayal of romantic entanglements and societal expectations in a lighthearted manner.
Love for Love: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: William Congreve
First published: 1695
Genre: Play
Locale: London, England
Plot: Comedy of manners
Time: Seventeenth century
Valentine Legend, a young would-be playwright. He loves Angelica. He is also in debt, having wasted his money in high living. Although he falls into disfavor with his father, Sir Sampson Legend, he redeems himself and eventually marries Angelica.
Sir Sampson Legend, who decides to disinherit his son Valentine, a wastrel. His plan fails when Valentine feigns madness.
Angelica, a beautiful young woman loved by Valentine. She is both wealthy and clever. Loving Valentine, she puts up with his temporary faults and finally marries him.
Jeremy, Valentine's clever but knavish servant.
Trapland, a lecherous, elderly scrivener, one of Valentine's creditors.
Scandal, Valentine's friend. He plays upon Foresight's belief in astrology to prevent a marriage between Ben Legend and Prue Foresight. He also flirts with Mrs. Foresight, a young woman married to an old man.
Ben Legend, Valentine's young brother, who stands to inherit Sir Sampson's estate if Valentine is cut off.
Foresight, a foolish old man who believes in astrology and has a young wife. He is Angelica's uncle. He realizes at last that he is really an old fool and admits it.
Prue Foresight, his countrified daughter. She dislikes Ben, whom her father wants her to marry. Although she is fascinated by Tattle, who almost succeeds in seducing her, she ends up wanting to marry Robin, a butler.
Mrs. Foresight, Foresight's young, flirtatious wife.
Mistress Frail, Mrs. Foresight's sister. She wants to marry a rich man, but she is finally tricked into marrying Tattle.
Tattle, a talkative young dandy. He is tricked into marrying Mistress Frail.
Buckram, a lawyer working for Sir Sampson.
Robin, a butler who is in love with Prue.