A New Way to Pay Old Debts: Analysis of Major Characters
"A New Way to Pay Old Debts" is a dramatic exploration of the interplay between ambition, greed, and redemption, as seen through its major characters. Frank Wellborn, a gentleman fallen on hard times, seeks to reclaim his lost honor and fortune after being wronged by his uncle, Sir Giles Overreach. Sir Giles epitomizes unchecked ambition and greed, relentlessly pursuing wealth and status for his daughter, Margaret, while ultimately orchestrating his own downfall through his unscrupulous actions. Margaret, although initially dutiful, finds the courage to defy her father's oppressive expectations with the support of her true love, young Allworth, and her own moral compass. Young Allworth, portrayed as kindhearted but melancholic, navigates his feelings for Margaret while striving to win her hand. The story also features Lady Allworth, a widow drawn back into society to assist Wellborn, and Lord Lovell, a nobleman who aids the young lovers against Sir Giles' schemes. The narrative weaves in secondary characters like Marall, a treacherous servant, and Greedy, a comical justice, who represent the themes of loyalty and deception. Through its rich character dynamics, the play examines the consequences of ambition and the potential for personal redemption.
A New Way to Pay Old Debts: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Philip Massinger
First published: 1633
Genre: Play
Locale: England
Plot: Comedy of manners
Time: Early seventeenth century
Frank Wellborn, an impoverished gentleman who has wasted much of his inheritance and been defrauded of the rest by his uncle, Sir Giles Overreach. His fortunes are at their lowest ebb when young Allworth discovers him as he is being evicted from a tavern for refusing to pay his bill. He proudly refuses to accept aid from the boy and plans instead to avenge himself on his unjust uncle. A shrewd judge of character, he wins Lady Allworth's assistance by reminding her of his generosity to her late husband and plays on Marall's natural greed to further his plot against Sir Giles. When he regains his fortune, he rejects his prodigal past entirely and, hoping to win back his lost reputation, asks Lord Lovell for a company to command.
Sir Giles Overreach, Wellborn's miserly, tyrannical uncle. Although he vows that he is ambitious only for the sake of his young daughter, he gathers without scruple the wealth and rank he desires for her, destroying whoever stands in his way. His greed, accurately assessed by Wellborn, brings about his downfall; he has mentally confiscated Lady Allworth's property before he makes certain that his nephew is really to be her husband. The most crushing blow to his aspirations is his daughter's elopement with young Allworth, a marriage facilitated by his eagerness to make her Lady Lovell.
Margaret, Sir Giles'daughter, fortunately free of her father's vices. She is a dutiful child until she realizes to what lengths Sir Giles expects her to go to make herself Lady Lovell. She then relies on her love for young Allworth, Lord Lovell's support, and her own virtue to give her courage to deceive her father.
Tom Allworth, Lord Lovell's page, a kindhearted young gentleman. He indulges in romantic fits of despair and melancholy for his beloved Margaret before his master and Well-born help him to win his bride. In spite of these moods, he is a dutiful son and servant and a thoughtful friend.
Lady Allworth, his devoted stepmother, who has gone into seclusion to mourn for her late husband. She is persuaded to return to society to help Wellborn to avenge his wrongs. She wins, through her kindness, the affection of Lord Lovell and finally accepts his proposal of marriage.
Lord Lovell, a benevolent nobleman and a valiant soldier. He quickly penetrates Sir Giles' designs and offers his assistance to Margaret and young Allworth.
Marall, Sir Giles' servant, responsible for carrying out his schemes to defraud his neighbors. Lady Allworth's attentions to Wellborn, staged for his benefit, convince him that Well-born may be a more profitable master than Sir Giles, and he willingly betrays the latter. His efforts are in vain, for Well-born wisely concludes that a servant false to one master will be false to another and sends him away empty-handed.
Greedy, a justice of the peace, one of Sir Giles' hangers-on. His single-minded devotion to food and its preparation makes him an easy dupe in his patron's schemes.
Order, Amble, Furnace, and Watchall, Lady Allworth's loyal servants, who dubiously follow their mistress' orders to treat Wellborn as an honored guest.
Tapster, a taverner who tries to throw the penniless Wellborn out of his house. Wellborn, reminding him that it was he who provided forty pounds to set up the business, thrashes him soundly for his ingratitude.
Froth, Tapster's wife.
Parson Willdo, another of Sir Giles' followers, who unwittingly deceives him by marrying Margaret to Allworth.