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| Character | Bellafront | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Female | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Scolding, Persuasive, Complaining | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Year | 1604 | |
| Period | 17th Century | |
| Genre | Romance, Drama, Comedy | |
| Description | Bellafront urges her clients to forsake prostitutes | |
| Location | ACT III, Scene 3 | |
Summary
The play is set in Milan and has 3 main storylines. In the first the Duke of Milan has feigned his daughter Infelice's death so that she can end her relationship with Hipolito, who he detests since he is the son of an old enemy. Hipolito however, can't get over it, and finally when he learns of the set up by the Duke of Milan, he is reunited with Infelice and they get married.
Another storyline is about a prostitute, Bellafront, falling in love with Hipolito. She tries several times to seduce him but Hipolito scorns her and rejects her. She pretends to be mad and eventually helps Hipolito be reunited with Infelice.
In this scene Bellafront, after being rejected by Hipolito the first time they meet (ACT II, Scene 1), decides to give up her life as a prostitute. She writes a song about her decision to quit her sinful life. When several costumers show up at her door, Bellafront tells them about her decision. She asks them to leave and then delivers this monologue where she urges them to give up their habit to seek prostitutes.
Another storyline is about a prostitute, Bellafront, falling in love with Hipolito. She tries several times to seduce him but Hipolito scorns her and rejects her. She pretends to be mad and eventually helps Hipolito be reunited with Infelice.
In this scene Bellafront, after being rejected by Hipolito the first time they meet (ACT II, Scene 1), decides to give up her life as a prostitute. She writes a song about her decision to quit her sinful life. When several costumers show up at her door, Bellafront tells them about her decision. She asks them to leave and then delivers this monologue where she urges them to give up their habit to seek prostitutes.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| BELLAFRONT Oh, I pray do, if you be gentlemen! I pray depart the house; beshrew the door For being so easily entreated: faith, I lent but little ear unto your talk; My mind was busied otherwise in troth, And so your words did unregarded pass. Let this suffice, I am not as I was. [FLUELLO I am not what I was! No, I'll be sworn thou art not, for thou wert honest at five, and now th'art a punk at fifteen; thou wert yesterday a simple whore, and now th'art a cunning coney-catching baggage today.] BELLAFRONT I'll say I'm worse. I pray forsake me then; I do desire you leave me, gentlemen, And leave yourselves. Oh, be not what you are, Spendthrifts of soul and body! Let me persuade you to forsake all harlots, Worse than the deadliest poisons; they are worse, For o'er their souls hangs an eternal curse: In being slaves to slaves, their labours perish; Th'are seldom bless'd with fruit, for ere it blossoms, Many a worm confounds it. They have no issue but foul, ugly ones That run along with them, e'en to their graves, For stead of children, they breed rank diseases, And all you gallants can bestow on them Is that French infant, which ne'er acts but speaks. What shallow son and heir then, foolish gallant, Would waste all his inheritance to purchase A filthy, loath'd disease, and pawn his body To a dry evil? That usury's worst of all, When th' interest will eat out the principal. |
