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'Tis Pity She's a Whore

by John Ford

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Characters Discussed

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Florio

Florio (FLOH-ree-oh), a gentleman of Parma, the devoted father of Giovanni and Annabella. Concerned about his son’s “over-bookish” habits, he places his hope in his beloved daughter and leaves her free to marry for love. He is so shocked by the revelation of his children’s incestuous relationship and Annabella’s death that he dies almost instantly of a broken heart.

Giovanni

Giovanni (jee-oh-VAHN-nee), his sensitive, intellectual son, who is consumed by his passion for his sister. He maintains steadily the conviction that his love is virtuous and reaffirms his faith in his affection as he kills Annabella and their unborn child to save her honor.

Annabella

Annabella, his beautiful sister. She rejects the virtuous life her father wants for her and returns Giovanni’s love, repenting her actions only when she realizes that Soranzo intends to kill her for her betrayal of him.

Putana

Putana (pew-TAH-nah), Annabella’s bawdy old servant, who encourages her relationship with Giovanni.

Donado

Donado (doh-NAH-doh), the wealthy uncle of one of Annabella’s foolish suitors.

Bergetto

Bergetto (behr-GEHT-toh), Donado’s tactless, stupid nephew, who courts Annabella with insults, then brags of winning her favor. He is killed by Grimaldi.

Poggio

Poggio (poh-GEE-oh), Bergetto’s servant.

Soranzo

Soranzo (soh-RAHN-zoh), the worldly, well-to-do gentleman whom Annabella marries to save her reputation. He rages and plots her murder when he learns how he has been duped.

Grimaldi

Grimaldi (gree-MAHL-dee), a belligerent Roman gentleman, Annabella’s admirer. He murders Bergetto by mistake as he attempts to take revenge on his successful rival, Soranzo.

Hippolita

Hippolita, Soranzo’s vengeful cast-off mistress.

Richardetto

Richardetto, Hippolita’s husband, rumored dead. Disguised as a doctor, he returns to Parma to spy on his wife’s infidelities.

Philotis

Philotis (fee-LOH-tees), Richardetto’s niece.

Friar Bonaventura

Friar Bonaventura (boh-nah-vehn-TEW-rah), Giovanni’s confessor, who tries unsuccessfully to convince him that he is falling deeper and deeper into sin.

Vasques

Vasques (VAS-kwehz), Soranzo’s servant, expert at extracting information and at thwarting conspiracies against his master.

Characters

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Annabella
Florio's daughter, who is romantically involved with her brother, Giovanni. During their illicit relationship, she becomes pregnant and agrees to marry Soranzo to cover up her indiscretion. Annabella confesses the incest to the Friar and writes a remorseful letter to Giovanni. When Soranzo discovers her pregnancy, he vows to take revenge on Annabella and Giovanni at his birthday party. However, before he can act, Giovanni kills his sister, murders Soranzo, and dies fighting Vasques.

Bergetto
Donado's nephew, Bergetto, is foolish and crude. Much of the play's humor comes from his clumsy attempts to court Annabella. He is ultimately killed by Grimaldi, who mistakenly believes he is Soranzo.

Friar Bonaventura
A friar who was Giovanni's professor at the university. Bonaventura urges Giovanni to resist his incestuous desires for his sister. When he meets Annabella, he persuades her to repent and end her affair with Giovanni. When Giovanni refuses to heed his advice, Bonaventura leaves.

The Cardinal
The Pope's nuncio, the Cardinal, protects Grimaldi despite knowing he is guilty of Bergetto's murder. At the play's conclusion, the Cardinal confiscates the lovers' property in the name of the church.

Donado
A citizen of Parma, Donado is Bergetto's uncle. He hopes to arrange a marriage between his foolish nephew and Annabella by writing a love letter for him. However, Bergetto insists on composing and reading his own letter. After Bergetto's clumsy wooing fails and Annabella rejects him, he remains undeterred and goes off in search of prostitutes.

Florio
A citizen of Parma and the father of Giovanni and Annabella. Florio appears to have his children's best interests at heart, telling a...

(This entire section contains 758 words.)

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friend he will not force Annabella to marry against her will. However, his idea of "what is best" for his daughter is ultimately driven by financial considerations rather than emotional ones.

Giovanni
Florio's son, Giovanni, is in love with his sister, Annabella. Their incestuous relationship results in her pregnancy, leading her to marry Soranzo to hide the affair. In the end, Giovanni kills Annabella, crashes Soranzo's birthday feast with her heart on his sword, and battles the Banditti and Vasques, who eventually kills him.

Grimaldi
A Roman gentleman smitten with Annabella, Grimaldi conspires with Richardetto to kill Soranzo using a poisoned rapier. Richardetto, disguised as a doctor, agrees to assist Grimaldi, hoping to take revenge on Soranzo for having an affair with his wife, Hippolita. However, Grimaldi mistakenly kills Bergetto instead of Soranzo and escapes punishment when the Cardinal grants him immunity.

Hippolita
Richardetto's unfaithful wife, who is involved in an affair with Soranzo. After being spurned by Soranzo, she plots revenge with the help of his servant Vasques, offering him sexual favors and wealth. However, Vasques betrays her and remains loyal to Soranzo. Hippolita ends up dead when Vasques hands her the poisoned cup she intended for Soranzo.

Philotis
Richardetto's innocent and obedient niece, she follows her uncle's wishes without question. Initially, he wants her to marry Soranzo, but later he decides she should join a convent. She complies without any resistance.

Poggio
Bergetto's somewhat loyal servant, Poggio appears to be more intelligent than his master, which isn't a high bar. Providing comic relief, he accompanies Bergetto on his whimsical escapades.

Putana
Annabella's governess, she reacts positively to the news of Annabella's affair with her brother, stating that she sees nothing wrong with having affairs with brothers, fathers, or anyone else if the mood strikes. Deceived by Vasques into revealing the father of Annabella's child, she is subsequently bound and blinded.

Richardetto
Hippolita's husband and Philotis's uncle, Richardetto masquerades as a physician to uncover his wife's affair with Soranzo. He conspires with Grimaldi to help him kill Soranzo. Driven by revenge for Soranzo's relationship with Hippolita, Richardetto remains cold and calculating, showing little emotion when his wife dies.

Soranzo
A nobleman in love with Annabella, Soranzo is also having an affair with Richardetto's wife, Hippolita. After marrying Annabella, he discovers she is pregnant by her brother and plots revenge for this dishonor. However, before he can act, Giovanni kills Soranzo at his own birthday celebration.

Vasques
Soranzo's devoted servant, formerly serving his father, Vasques plays a crucial role in his master's revenge plan. He pretends to collaborate with Hippolita, promising to assist her in avenging herself on Soranzo in exchange for money and sexual favors, but ultimately remains loyal to Soranzo. He deceives Putana to uncover the father of Annabella's baby, then has her bound and blinded. At the play's conclusion, the Cardinal exiles Vasques instead of punishing him for his involvement in the schemes of revenge and murder.

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