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| Character | Aegeon of Syracuse | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Descriptive, Depressed, Reminiscing life story/Telling a story | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Farce, Comedy | |
| Description | Aegeon narrates the sad story of how he got separated from his wife and son | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 1 | |
Summary
The story takes place in Ephesus. Solinus, the Duke of Ephesus is leading Aegeon, a merchant from Syracuse, to be executed. Because of a dispute between the two cities, any Syracusan caught in Ephesus has to pay a ransom of 1000 marks. If he can't pay then he is executed. Aegeon tells the Duke that his execution will end his pain. The Duke, curious about it, asks him to tell him his story.
In this monologue Aegeon tells him that he is a native of Syracuse and used to be a successful merchant trading with the city of Epidamnum. When his partner in that city died, he had to travel there with his wife. There she gave birth to two twin brothers. Another woman who was staying at the same inn gave birth to twins as well and Aegeon bought her two sons to make them his sons slaves. On their way back to Syracuse they encountered a storm. The ship was broken apart and his family was rescued by two separate ships, one from Corinth and one from Epidaurus. His wife along with one of the twins were rescued by the ship from Epidaurus and he never saw them again.
When his son grew up he decided to go and look for his twin brother and his mother. Aegeon decided to find his wife and son as well and his travels led him to Ephesus, where is now facing execution...
In this monologue Aegeon tells him that he is a native of Syracuse and used to be a successful merchant trading with the city of Epidamnum. When his partner in that city died, he had to travel there with his wife. There she gave birth to two twin brothers. Another woman who was staying at the same inn gave birth to twins as well and Aegeon bought her two sons to make them his sons slaves. On their way back to Syracuse they encountered a storm. The ship was broken apart and his family was rescued by two separate ships, one from Corinth and one from Epidaurus. His wife along with one of the twins were rescued by the ship from Epidaurus and he never saw them again.
When his son grew up he decided to go and look for his twin brother and his mother. Aegeon decided to find his wife and son as well and his travels led him to Ephesus, where is now facing execution...
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| AEGEON A heavier task could not have been imposed Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable: Yet, that the world may witness that my end Was wrought by nature, not by vile offence, I'll utter what my sorrows give me leave. In Syracusa was I born, and wed Unto a woman, happy but for me, And by me, had not our hap been bad. With her I lived in joy; our wealth increased By prosperous voyages I often made To Epidamnum; till my factor's death And the great care of goods at random left Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse: From whom my absence was not six months old Before herself, almost at fainting under The pleasing punishment that women bear, Had made provision for her following me And soon and safe arrived where I was. There had she not been long, but she became A joyful mother of two goodly sons; And, which was strange, the one so like the other, As could not be distinguish'd but by names. That very hour, and in the self-same inn, A meaner woman was delivered Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: Those,--for their parents were exceeding poor,-- I bought and brought up to attend my sons. My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys, Made daily motions for our home return: Unwilling I agreed. Alas! too soon, We came aboard. A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, Before the always wind-obeying deep Gave any tragic instance of our harm: But longer did we not retain much hope; For what obscured light the heavens did grant Did but convey unto our fearful minds A doubtful warrant of immediate death; Which though myself would gladly have embraced, Yet the incessant weepings of my wife, Weeping before for what she saw must come, And piteous plainings of the pretty babes, That mourn'd for fashion, ignorant what to fear, Forced me to seek delays for them and me. And this it was, for other means was none: The sailors sought for safety by our boat, And left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us: My wife, more careful for the latter-born, Had fasten'd him unto a small spare mast, Such as seafaring men provide for storms; To him one of the other twins was bound, Whilst I had been like heedful of the other: The children thus disposed, my wife and I, Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd, Fasten'd ourselves at either end the mast; And floating straight, obedient to the stream, Was carried towards Corinth, as we thought. At length the sun, gazing upon the earth, Dispersed those vapours that offended us; And by the benefit of his wished light, The seas wax'd calm, and we discovered Two ships from far making amain to us, Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this: But ere they came,--O, let me say no more! Gather the sequel by that went before. |
