A Trick to Catch the Old One: Analysis of Major Characters
"A Trick to Catch the Old One" is a comedic exploration of deception and greed, centered around Theodorus Witgood, a reckless young man seeking to reclaim his lost fortune. Witgood conspires with a clever courtesan, his former mistress, to outsmart his greedy uncle, Pecunious Lucre, who is eager to expand his wealth through Witgood's proposed marriage to a wealthy widow. Lucre's character embodies avarice, as he is preoccupied with financial gain and is involved in a rivalry with Walkadine Hoard, another miserly figure. The courtesan, adept in manipulation, skillfully portrays herself as a wealthy widow and captures Hoard’s interest, leading to a complex web of deceit. Hoard, initially pleased with his supposed triumph over Lucre, eventually discovers he has been tricked, revealing his need to maintain appearances despite being outwitted. Joyce, Hoard's niece and Witgood's love interest, remains largely passive in the unfolding schemes. This play highlights themes of greed, manipulation, and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, inviting audiences to reflect on the consequences of their actions.
A Trick to Catch the Old One: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Thomas Middleton
First published: 1608
Genre: Play
Locale: London, England
Plot: Comedy
Time: First years of seventeenth century
Theodorus Witgood, a dissolute young spendthrift. He conspires with the courtesan, his former mistress, to deceive his avaricious old uncle and regain enough of his wasted and confiscated fortune to marry Joyce. Once successful, he swears that he will give up all the vices that have nearly ruined him.
Pecunious Lucre, his uncle, a greedy old man who leaps at the thought of adding to the family fortune by Witgood's proposed marriage to a wealthy widow. He is not above a little flirtation with his nephew's bride-to-be, but he expends most of his energy in his feud with his equally ill-tempered contemporary, Walkadine Hoard.
A courtesan, Witgood's accomplice, a witty woman with a genius for taking advantage of situations that will result in her own advantage. She plays her part of wealthy widow so convincingly that she wins a proposal from old Hoard. When her profession is revealed, she pacifies her new husband with the somewhat specious assurance that, having sinned in her youth, she will be faithful in maturity.
Walkadine Hoard, her miserly suitor, who is attracted primarily to her four hundred pounds a year. He crows over his old enemy, Lucre, when he thinks he has successfully cheated his rival by carrying off Witgood's rich widow. He realizes finally that he has been gulled and reluctantly admits that he must keep his bride to save his reputation.
Joyce, Hoard's niece, Witgood's pleasant, amenable sweetheart, who plays very little part in the schemes of the others.
Taverner, Witgood's ready accomplice in fleecing the greedy Lucre.