The Maid's Tragedy: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Maid's Tragedy" is a poignant exploration of complex human emotions and moral dilemmas set against the backdrop of a royal court. The story revolves around major characters such as Evadne, a noblewoman entangled in a duplicitous relationship with the king of Rhodes, and her husband Amintor, who is caught in a web of betrayal and honor. Evadne's journey from self-centeredness to tragic heroism is marked by her drastic actions to reclaim her dignity after confronting the consequences of her choices. Amintor, who struggles with guilt over his betrayal of Aspatia, ultimately faces the devastation of his marriage when he is repulsed by Evadne's violent act against the king.
Melantius, Evadne's brother, serves as a catalyst for revenge against the unjust monarch, contrasting with Amintor's more passive approach to authority. Aspatia, the heartbroken betrothed of Amintor, embodies the pain of unrequited love and tragic destiny, culminating in her own demise. Other supporting characters, such as Calianax and Lysippus, contribute to the intricate dynamics of power and loyalty, highlighting the broader themes of justice and familial ties. This rich tapestry of characters invites a deep contemplation of love, betrayal, and the often dire consequences of human actions.
The Maid's Tragedy: Analysis of Major Characters
Authors: John Fletcher and Francis Beaumont
First published: 1619
Genre: Play
Locale: Rhodes
Plot: Tragedy
Time: The legendary past
The king of Rhodes, who is to all appearances a just, if un-distinguished, ruler. He is, in fact, a man who does not scruple to use those around him ruthlessly for his own ends. He brings bloody death upon himself by his dishonoring of Evadne and by his despicable treatment of Amintor, a courtier.
Evadne (eh-VAD-nee), a noblewoman, mistress to the king, who arranges her marriage to Amintor. She shows herself almost completely self-centered in the opening scenes, in which she coldly reveals her duplicity to her husband and tells him that she is simply using him to conceal her relationship with the king. The force with which she vows to be his wife in name only suggests the strength of character that makes her a tragic figure. Confronted by her brother with the dishonor she has brought upon herself, her husband, and her family, she recoils in horror from the hell in which she has placed herself, begs forgiveness of Amintor, and resolves to “redeem one minute of my age or, like another Niobe… weep till I am water.” She finds this redemption in tying the king to his bed and stabbing him to death as she accuses him of villainy. When she returns to her husband, she feels herself purged, free at last to offer herself as his wife. Death is the only recourse left to her when Amintor, horrified by the slaying of an anointed king, repulses her.
Amintor (eh-MIHN-tohr), Evadne's ill-used husband. He is, from the moment of his marriage, conscience-stricken by his betrayal of Aspatia, to whom he had been betrothed. He attempts to justify himself by reflecting that he acted on the king's orders, but he recognizes simultaneously that the king had no control over his will; he could have refused the bride who was offered to him. Shocked by Evadne's wedding-night declaration, he plays the part of happy husband badly, but his reverence for royal blood restrains him from avenging his honor with violence and ultimately causes his final repudiation of his wife. Some pity for her lingers in him, however, and he turns, too late, to try to prevent her suicide. He kills himself beside the body of Aspatia, whom he had slain unintentionally.
Melantius (meh-LAN-shee-uhs), Evadne's brother, a valiant soldier. Devoted to his friend Amintor, he persuades him to explain the reason for his strange fits of misery. Unlike Amintor, he feels no allegiance to an unjust monarch, and he plots the killing, which is carried out by Evadne, while playing on the king's overconfidence to attain his ends.
Aspatia (eh-SPAY-shuh), Amintor's betrothed, who grieves constantly after his marriage to Evadne and sings sad songs of faithful maidens and false lovers. She longs for death and finally finds it at the moment when she least desires it, when she hears from Amintor that he still loves her. She had come to him disguised as a boy and deliberately provoked him to a duel; he wounded her mortally before he realized who she was.
Calianax (ka-lih-A-nuhks), her father, a cowardly, testy old man. He was a longtime enemy of Melantius, who used his distrust to advance his plot against the king.
Lysippus (li-SIH-puhs), the king's brother and successor. Recognizing the justice of Melantius' cause, he pardons him and his followers, who hold the key military positions in the city.
Diphilus (DI-fih-luhs), Melantius' brother and fellow conspirator.
Cleon (KLEE-on) and Strato (STRAY-toh), nobles in the court of Rhodes.
Diagoras (di-A-guh-ruhs), the doorkeeper in the king's banqueting hall.
Dula (DEW-luh), Evadne's witty lady-in-waiting.
Antiphila (an-TIH-fih-luh) and Olympias (oh-LIHMpee-uhs), Aspatia's devoted maids.
Two gentlemen, servants of the king who watch Evadne enter his bedchamber and plan to enjoy her themselves. They discover their master's body and fear that they will be accused of his murder.