Ralph Roister Doister
Ralph Roister Doister Author: Nicholas Udall
First Performance: 1552, Windsor
Published: 1566–7
Genre: Com. in 5 acts; rhymed verse
Setting: Before the house of Dame Custance, mid-16th c.
Cast: 10m, 4f, extras
Ralph Roister Doister, a bombastic and stupid individual, wishes to woo a virtuous widow Dame Christian Custance. Despite holding Doister in contempt, his parasitic friend Merrygreek promises to help him. However, Dame Custance is betrothed to a wealthy merchant and firmly rejects Doister's advances. Bolstered by Merrygreek's flattery, Doister plans to storm Dame Custance's house and force her to his will. Merrygreek, who has already undermined Doister's courtship, warns Custance, and together with the maidservants they repel the cowardly Doister, giving him a sound thrashing. Custance's fiancé returns...
[The entire page is 309 words long]
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