Introduction

Ralph Roister Doister, a farce believed to be the first comedy written entirely in English, was penned by Nicholas Udall around 1552. Udall, a schoolmaster and playwright, likely intended the play for performance by his students. It was first published in 1567, eleven years after Udall's death. The work reflects the burgeoning English theatrical tradition of the mid-16th century. Set in London, the play cleverly combines elements of Roman comedy with English social satire to poke fun at social climbers, braggarts, and the emerging social anxieties surrounding wealthy widows.

Plot Summary

Merrygreeke is a carefree character who enjoys life's pleasures but worries about where his next meal will come from. He depends on the generosity and gullibility of various wealthy acquaintances for food and drinks. At this moment, he relies on Ralph Roister Doister and hints that Ralph might be a particularly easy target.

I can with a worde make him fayne or loth,
I can with as much make him pleased or wroth,
I can when I will make him mery and glad,
I can when me lust make him sory and sad,
I can set him in hope and eke in dispaire,
I can make him speake rough, and make him speake faire.

When they meet, Ralph reveals his infatuation with Custance, a wealthy widow. Merrygreeke, aware Custance is already engaged to someone else, downplays the difficulty but plots to exploit Ralph's foolishness.

Merrygreeke flatters Ralph's ego by claiming all women are secretly in love with him. He suggests serenading Custance with music. Ralph readily agrees and sends him off to fetch musicians.

While waiting outside of Custance's home, Ralph eavesdrops on her maids. He soon reveals himself and excitedly discusses marrying Custance. Most of the maids leave, and Roister flatters the remaining nurse into promising to put in a good word for him with Custance.

Merrygreeke arrives with musicians but confuses Mumblecrust, the nurse, for Ralph's love interest. After a farcical exchange, Merrygreeke invents a series of outlandish stories about Ralph's strength and conquests to impress Mumblecrust.

Finally, Merrygreeke convinces Mumblecrust to take Ralph's love letter to Custance. Merrygreeke questions the quality of the letter, but Ralph insists that it is perfect.

Mumblecrust delivers Ralph's love letter to Custance, claiming a "lustie gay bacheler" wants to marry her. Custance, already betrothed, refuses to read the letter and expresses her desire to wait for her true love, Gawin Goodluck.

Act Two begins with Dobinet Doughtie, Ralph's servant, complaining about the constant errands he has to run for his habitually love-struck master. He is annoyed at how his master's whims change daily, requiring him to deliver messages and endure late-night serenades. He worries about delivering a ring and message to Custance, fearing it will end badly.

Doughtie finds Mumblecrust who is angry about being blamed for Ralph's serenade. She refuses to take Ralph's message to Custance. Doughtie is left to worry about returning empty-handed.

Doughtie meets Custance's other maids. They are excited about the prospect of a new master and imagine a life of luxury. Doughtie offers them the ring and the message from Ralph. There is a squabble over who gets to deliver it to Custance. However, all they receive from Custance upon delivering the message is a scolding.

In the third act, Merygreeke speaks with Custance and pretends a wealthy gentleman is interested in marrying her. Custance remains loyal to Gawin Goodluck and sees through Merygreeke's deception. She sends a harsh message back to Ralph, refusing his advances.

Merygreeke feeds Ralph a fabricated account of his conversation with Custance, portraying him as a foolish and...