Marriage à la Mode: Analysis of Major Characters
"Marriage à la Mode" is a complex narrative that explores themes of love, desire, and identity through its intricate character dynamics. The play features Palamede, a courtier caught between duty and desire as he navigates his feelings for Doralice, the wife of Rhodophil, while being pressured to marry Melantha, his intended. Rhodophil, the captain of the King’s Guard, is similarly torn; he desires Melantha yet ultimately reconciles with Doralice, setting a foundation for respect among the characters.
The story is further complicated by Polydamus, the usurper, who seeks his long-lost son and unwittingly adopts Leonidas, the rightful heir to the throne of Sicily. Leonidas's true identity unfolds, leading to a dramatic reclamation of power and a marriage to Palmyra, Polydamus's daughter, who was raised alongside him. Supporting characters like Hermogenes and Argaleon add depth to the narrative, with Hermogenes acting as a guardian to Leonidas and Palmyra, and Argaleon embodying ambition and rivalry.
Through its major characters, "Marriage à la Mode" addresses the intersections of personal longing and social obligation, ultimately leading to a resolution that highlights the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of rightful identity.
Marriage à la Mode: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Dryden
First published: 1673
Genre: Play
Locale: Sicily
Plot: Comedy of manners
Time: Seventeenth century
Palamede (pah-lah-MEH-dee), a courtier. Ordered by his father to marry Melantha, he becomes attracted to and declares his love for Rhodophil's wife, Doralice. Later, when Doralice becomes reconciled with her husband, Palamede woos Melantha, and they agree to marry.
Rhodophil (ROH-doh-fihl), the captain of the King's Guard. Married to Doralice, he desires Melantha. When Palamede's father insists that his son marry Melantha at once, Rhodophil and Doralice are reconciled, and each man pledges to respect the other's wife.
Doralice (doh-rah-lees), Rhodophil's wife, desired by Palamede.
Melantha (meh-LAN-thuh), Palamede's intended, desired by Rhodophil.
Polydamus (po-lee-DAM-uhs), the usurper of the throne of Sicily. In search of his long-lost son, he is convinced by Hermogenes that Leonidas is, indeed, his heir, and he accepts the youth as his own along with Palmyra, the boy's foster sister. Later, it is revealed that Leonidas is, in reality, the heir of the rightful king, and Polydamus is forced to give up the throne to him. The usurper is then forgiven by the new king, to whom he gives Palmyra, now revealed as his own daughter, in marriage.
Hermogenes (hurm-AH-jeh-neez), a fisherman who raises Leonidas and Palmyra as his own.
Leonidas (lee-o-NIH-duhs), the son of the rightful king of Sicily, who is brought up as Hermogenes' child. His identity is finally revealed, and he wins back the throne from Polydamus.
Palmyra (pahl-MIHR-ah), Polydamus' daughter, who is brought up as Hermogenes' child. After her identity is made known, she marries the now rightful king, Leonidas.
Argaleon (AHR-gah-LEE-ohn), Polydamus' favorite, who attempts to marry Palmyra and have Leonidas banished.
Amalthea (am-al-THEE-ah), Argaleon's sister, who is in love with Leonidas.
Philotis (fihl-OH-tihs), Melantha's maid.
Eubulus (EE-ew-bew-luhs), a former governor who reveals to Palmyra that Leonidas is the son of the rightful king.