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.