The Changeling Group

Question:

pinkmarshmello1
pinkmarshmello1

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

Rate question:

Posted by pinkmarshmello1 on Wednesday February 28, 2007 at 1:15 PM and tagged with alsemero, opening speech, the changeling.

Answers:


  1. blazedale

    eNotes Editor

    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.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/salem-lit/changeling-9560000112

    Rate answer:

    Posted by blazedale on Thursday March 1, 2007 at 4:34 PM

  2. hellybaybee
    hellybaybee Student

    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 feeling for her is based merely upon her appearance again demonstrating how he is opporating on an animalistic or sensory level within the jacobean notion of the soul; this is a state close to madness. You should also note that many problems occur due to misguided perceptions and the characters having too much faith in what their eyes show them (I think Beatrice states something along the lines of 'my troubles start at mine eyes' and 'our eyes are sentinals unto our judgements')

    Rate answer:

    Posted by hellybaybee on Thursday June 12, 2008 at 2:18 PM