The Changeling Group at eNotes

Discuss MiddletonRowleys presentation of Isabella's fate within The...

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:00:10 PST

Discuss MiddletonRowleys presentation of Isabella's fate within The Changelings sub-plot. How does it efect the audiences judgement of Beatrice fate?

There is great irony in Alsmero's speech. Firstly due to the fact he met...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:18:41 PST

There is great irony in Alsmero's speech. Firstly due to the fact he met Beatrice in a church and therefore believe's this to be a good omen. Yet later we see this meeting causes a string of sinful events.... this may also have connotations for the catholic church as the play is set in catholic spain and at this time the religion itself waas demonised. Alsmero also states that he 'love[s] her beauties to the holy purpose' suggesting all his...

Insanity was a source of entertainment in the Jacobean age and people...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:06:43 PST

Insanity was a source of entertainment in the Jacobean age and people would often pay to watch the antics of the insane (think of Londons 'Bedlam' or 'Bethleham' asylum.) It links the subplot to the main plot and also demonstrates how the sexually fraught characters are opporating on a level close to madness. The Jacobean notion of the soul had three levels Rational (human), sensory (animalistic) and the vegitative (plants)... humans should...

a changeling often described a deformed or disabled child.... it was...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:56:19 PST

a changeling often described a deformed or disabled child.... it was thought that a demon or evil spirit replaced the 'normal' child with one that showed these attributes... changeling also describes a promiscus woman... other definitions from the Jacobean age include a person given to change, a fool or a devil in the shape of a woman (lamia) ultimately you can use the word changeling to describe any character within the play

It's not just Antonio, it is also about Beatrice. She has on the outside...

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:23:57 PST

It's not just Antonio, it is also about Beatrice. She has on the outside a pretty appearance, and a good status, but on the inside she becomes a evil personality. Her ability to hide her personailty, and the wanting for Diaphanta to take her place with Alsemero, gives another reference to the play's title.

The dance, though in today's society would seem in poor taste, was back...

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:18:04 PST

The dance, though in today's society would seem in poor taste, was back in the Jacobean times, a source of entertainment. It is putting the madness on show allowing people to openly laugh- it would give a greater sense of humour to the subplot. It provides the tool for the meeting of the subplot characters with the main plot characters, as it is put to Lollio to help train the men to dance for Beatrice's wedding. Compared to Beatrice's...

Why and what is the purpose of the mad men dance in The Changeling?

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:05:50 PST

Why and what is the purpose of the mad men dance in The Changeling?

I'm not sure about a variety of areas, but one key part of his speech is...

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 16:34:18 PST

I'm not sure about a variety of areas, but one key part of his speech is his desire to wed Beatrice, and his assurance that he will do so.

How does Alsemero's opening speech in Act I of "The Changeling" relate...

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:15:03 PST

How does Alsemero's opening speech in Act I of "The Changeling" relate to a variety of areas throughout the play?

OK last answer from me :) The site cited below says that in 1610,...

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:45:52 PST

OK last answer from me :) The site cited below says that in 1610, Johnson described an oaf as: "a changeling; a foolish child" Since Antonio is pretending to be foolish.. it may follow that he is the changeling.

The character page on enotes says unequivocally that Antonio is the...

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:42:08 PST

The character page on enotes says unequivocally that Antonio is the changeling, saying he's the "counterfeit fool"

I always thought it was simply a child who was left on another's...

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:33:28 PST

I always thought it was simply a child who was left on another's doorstep. Wikipedia says it's the offspring of a fairy, troll, elf or other legendary creature that has been secretly left in the place of a human child.

Etymology of the "Changeling"

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:26:06 PST

What is the etymology of the word "changeling" ? I am looking for its common usage/meanings in London, England from 1600-1700. The play of that name by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley has aroused my curiosity. So far all the criticism insists that the play's name refers to the character Antonio; but I think that is inaccurate. I think the play is named for Beatrice-Joanna, but just about every character in this play...