The Old Bachelor: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Old Bachelor" is a comedic play featuring a range of colorful characters, each contributing to the exploration of love, deception, and societal norms. Central to the story is Sir Joseph Wittol, a naive country knight who becomes infatuated with the beautiful Araminta, mistakenly believing she is interested in marrying him. Meanwhile, Ned Bellmour, a charming young bachelor, pursues Belinda, a fashionable and wealthy woman, while disguising himself as a Puritan preacher to add humor to his escapades. The play also features the unscrupulous Sharper and the ostentatious Captain Bluffe, who is revealed to be a coward despite his bravado.
Araminta, engaged to the romantic Vainlove, and Silvia, a discarded mistress of Vainlove, add layers of complexity to the relationships, showcasing themes of love and betrayal. Heartwell, portrayed as a bitter old bachelor, faces the threat of an unwanted marriage to Silvia, unaware of her true nature. The character dynamics and comedic situations highlight the folly and absurdity of romantic pursuits in a society governed by superficial values and misunderstandings. Overall, the play presents a satirical take on the institution of marriage and the various characters' pursuits of love, making it a rich tapestry of human folly.
The Old Bachelor: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: William Congreve
First published: 1693
Genre: Play
Locale: London, England
Plot: Comedy of manners
Time: Seventeenth century
Sir Joseph Wittol, a foolish country knight. He falls in love with Araminta on first seeing her and is fooled for a time into thinking she intends to marry him.
Ned Bellmour, a gallant young bachelor in love with Belinda. Disguised as a Puritan preacher, he visits Fondlewife's spouse and has a merry time as a lark. True to his friends, he saves Heartwell from a disastrous marriage with Silvia, a prostitute. Although he is a little wild, he is a good young man, and Belinda plans to marry him.
Sharper, Bellmour's unscrupulous friend.
Captain Bluffe, a supposed veteran of the British Army. Although his boasting and swaggering endear him to Wittol, he proves to be an arrant coward. He tries to bribe Setter to act as pander to bring him and Araminta together.
Belinda, a fashionable, wealthy young woman of great beauty. She loves and is loved by Bellmour.
Araminta, Belinda's cousin. She and Vainlove are in love andplantomarry.
Vainlove, Bellmour's friend. He loves Araminta, who forgives his romantic escapades and plans to marry him.
Gavot, Araminta's singing teacher.
Silvia, a prostitute, Vainlove's discarded mistress. She tries to break up the romance between Vainlove and Araminta and to trick Heartwell into a marriage with herself.
Lucy, Silvia's maid.
Heartwell, a surly old bachelor and woman-hater. He is almost tricked into marrying Silvia, not knowing she is a prostitute.
Setter, Vainlove's manservant.
Fondlewife, a banker and an ancient, doting husband. He catches his young wife with Bellmour.
Laetitia, Fondlewife's spouse. She entertains Bellmour handsomely, thinking her husband is away on business. After he catches them together, Laetitia, weeping, convinces Fondlewife that she is innocent.