The Spanish Gipsy: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Spanish Gipsy" presents a complex narrative centered around a range of characters grappling with themes of morality, redemption, and love. At the heart of the story is Fernando de Azevida, the corregidor of Madrid, who is depicted as a man of strict morals. His horror at his son's actions leads to a series of events that ultimately result in a reconciliatory marriage between Roderigo, his wayward son, and Clara, the noble virgin he wronged. Clara, characterized by her beauty and resilience, navigates her traumatic experience with dignity, eventually forgiving Roderigo and choosing to marry him.
Supporting characters such as Pedro, Clara's father, and María, her mother, provide insight into familial dynamics amidst the turmoil. Álvarez de Castilla and his wife Guiamara enrich the narrative with themes of sacrifice and the repercussions of past deeds as they navigate their identities within the Gypsy community. Young lovers Constanza and John de Carcomo further illustrate the intertwining of love and societal challenges, while secondary characters like Louis de Castro and Cardochia add layers of betrayal and redemption.
Overall, "The Spanish Gipsy" explores the struggles of its characters against societal expectations and personal failings, making it a rich text for analysis and discussion.
The Spanish Gipsy: Analysis of Major Characters
Authors: John Ford and William Rowley
First published: 1653
Genre: Play
Locale: Madrid
Plot: Tragicomedy
Time: Early seventeenth century
Fernando de Azevida (fehr-NAHN-doh deh ah-zeh-VEEdah), corregidor of Madrid. A good man, strict in his morality, he is horrified to learn that his son has violated a noble virgin. Feeling that his son is worthy of death, he labors to right the wrong; however, he is able to bring about a happy marriage between the reclaimed son and the forgiving girl. He is also rewarded by the recovery of his daughter, long believed lost at sea.
Roderigo (rroh-deh-RREE-goh), Fernando's wild son. Borrowed from a novel by Cervantes and much like that author's Ferdinand in Don Quixote de la Mancha, he is pitiless when he captures and ravishes Clara, but he is eaten by remorse and love afterward. He disguises himself and joins the Gypsies, but his father recognizes him. His vicious behavior modified by repentance, he gains a true and lovely wife in Clara.
Clara (KLAH-rah), the beautiful daughter of Pedro and María. Kidnapped and violated by Roderigo, she pleads piteously with him to marry her and save her good name. Failing in this entreaty, she does succeed in gaining his promise to conceal his act. She takes a crucifix from the room and notes other objects in it before leaving. Later, when she faints and is carried into the corregidor's house, she recognizes the room. She tells Fernando of his son's crime and bears out her story with the crucifix. She refuses her suitor Louis, forgives the repentant Roderigo, and marries him.
Pedro de Cortés (PEH-droh deh kohr-TEHS), an old don, the father of Clara. Deeply grieved by his daughter's wrong, he tries to comfort her, meanwhile encouraging her to marry Louis. At Fernando's pleading, he gives his consent to the marriage of Roderigo and Clara.
María, the wife of Pedro and mother of Clara. She is a counterpart to her husband and is not sharply individualized.
Álvarez de Castilla (AHL-vah-rehs deh kah-STEE-yah), an old lord, brother-in-law of the corregidor. Having killed old Castro, the father of Louis, he has fled and lives in banishment disguised as the leader of a band of Gypsy entertainers. To save the life of John, living with the Gypsies as Andrew, he reveals himself to Louis and offers the latter revenge for the slaying of his father.
Guiamara (gee-ah-MAHR-ah), the wife of Álvarez and sister of Fernando. As Eugenia(eh-ew-HEH-nee-ah), she lives with her husband as queen of the Gypsies. She reveals herself to her brother and returns his lost daughter Constanza to him.
Constanza (kohns-TAHN-sah), the daughter of Fernando, called Pretiosa (preh-tee-OH-sah). She is a pert young girl in her early teens living with her aunt among the Gypsies. She leads her lover John on a merry chase and makes him join the Gypsies. When his life is imperiled by a false accusation, she pleads strenuously for him and claims him as her husband-to-be. When he is released and both are recognized by their relatives, they are betrothed.
Cardochia (kahr-DOH-chee-ah), a young hostess with whom the Gypsies stay. She is seized with an ungovernable passion for John (Andrew). When he rebuffs her because of his love for the supposed Pretiosa, she falsely accuses him of theft to her lover Diego, who attacks him and is dangerously wounded. She finally confesses that her accusation is false, and John is freed.
John de Carcomo (Andrew), the son of Francisco. In love with Constanza, he disguises himself and lives with the Gypsies. She gives him little encouragement until he is in peril. He behaves with nobility under his false accusation and unjust imprisonment.
Francisco de Carcomo (frahn-SEES-koh deh kahr-KOHmoh), the father of John. He is disturbed by the unexplained absence of his son. When the latter is saved from unjust execution, he rejoices in his return and consents to his marriage with Constanza, after her noble birth has been revealed.
Louis de Castro (lew-EES deh KAHS-troh), a young nobleman dedicated to revenge for his dead father. He is an unwilling but nevertheless guilty participant in the kidnapping of Clara, whom he does not recognize at the time. Later, he woos her with the consent of both her parents but cannot get her consent. He does not understand her reluctance, because Roderigo, in keeping with his promise to her, has assured Louis that he released her unharmed. The nobility of Álvarez rouses his own nobility, and they become reconciled.
Diego (dee-EH-goh), the third of the young men involved in the kidnapping of Clara. He is in love with Cardochia and believes her false accusation of John de Carcomo. This belief leads him to attack John and nearly costs both of them their lives. He recovers, pleads for forgiveness for Cardochia, and takes her back.
Sancho (SAHN-choh), the foolish, self-satisfied ward of Don Pedro. He too lives for a while with the Gypsies, offering gold and self-composed verse.
Soto (SOH-toh), Sancho's servant. He is his master's companion in the Gypsy venture.
Carlo (KAHR-loh) and Antonio (ahn-TO-nee-oh), pretended Gypsies.
Christiana (krees-TYAH-nah), a gentlewoman disguised as aGypsy.