The Old Wives' Tale: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Old Wives' Tale" features a complex tapestry of characters, each contributing to the narrative's themes of love, enchantment, and the struggle against malevolence. Central to the story is Clunch, a generous and simple blacksmith, and his hospitable wife Madge, who entertains lost boys with captivating tales. The antagonist, Sacrapant, is a wicked magician whose enchantments ensnare several characters, including the beautiful Delia and the wandering knight Eumenides, who is deeply in love with her. Eumenides exemplifies charity and bravery, ultimately becoming instrumental in the fight against Sacrapant, aided by the ghost of Jack, a reformed character transformed through gratitude for Eumenides' good deeds.
Erestus, another victim of Sacrapant's magic, offers cryptic prophecies to guide Eumenides, while his betrothed, Venelia, plays a crucial role in breaking the enchantments. The story also includes a range of supporting characters, such as the comical Huanebango and the blind Corebus, who each represent different facets of human nature and folly. Through these characters, the tale weaves themes of generosity, redemption, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships in a fantastical setting. The intertwining fates of these characters invite readers to explore the deeper meanings behind their actions and transformations throughout the narrative.
The Old Wives' Tale: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George Peele
First published: 1595
Genre: Play
Locale: England
Plot: Comedy
Time: Indeterminate
Clunch, a smith who is generous, kind, and simple. He finds three pages lost in a wood and takes them to his hut.
Madge, Clunch's hospitable wife. Sleeping accommodations being limited, she entertains two of the boys with a fantastic story that becomes the main play.
Antic, Frolic, and Fantastic, the lost pages.
Sacrapant (SAK-ruh-pant), a wicked magician, probably borrowed from Orlando furioso, foreshadowing John Milton's Comus. Although young in appearance, when he is dead he becomes old and withered.
Delia (DEEL-yuh), also Berecynthia (BEHR-eh-SIHNthee-uh), a beautiful captive girl, enchanted by Sacrapant. She is rescued by Eumenides and the Ghost of Jack.
Eumenides (ew-MEHN-ih-deez), a wandering knight in love with Delia. Generous and charitable, he pays for the funeral of a pauper, whose ghost becomes an improbable guardian angel and helps him destroy Sacrapant.
The Ghost of Jack, formerly an irresponsible, happy-go-lucky character. In gratitude for Eumenides' charity, he becomes the principal mover of the dramatic action.
Erestus (ee-REHS-tuhs), a young man enchanted by Sacrapant. Sometimes he is a white bear, sometimes an old man. He gives a cryptic prophecy to Eumenides to guide him to his love and his triumph.
Venelia (vehn-EE-lya), the betrothed of Erestus. Neither wife, widow, nor maid, she is able to break the Enchanter's glass and extinguish the light that sustains his enchantments, thereby releasing his victims.
Huanebango (wayn-eh-BANG-goh), a fantastic braggart. He speaks snatches of verse including nonsensical dactyllic hexameters. Trying to rescue Delia, he is deafened by Sacrapant. Instead of Delia, he gets Zantippa.
Corebus (KOHR-eh-buhs), also called Booby, a clown who has been a friend of Jack. Struck blind by Sacrapant's enchantment, he marries Celanta, whom be believes beautiful.
Lampriscus (lam-PRIHS-kuhs), a countryman. He sends his daughters to the enchanted well of life to find their fortune.
Zantippa (zan-TIHP-uh), Lampriscus' beautiful, shrewish daughter. She acquires a deaf husband, Huanebango, but no wealth.
Celanta (see-LAN-ta), Lampriscus' ugly, sweet-tempered daughter. She acquires a blind husband and great wealth.
Calypha (KAL-ih-fa) and Thelea (THEE-lee-ah), Delia's brothers. They are captured by Sacrapant and rescued by Eumenides and Venelia.
Wiggen, Jack's friend who pleads for his proper burial.
Stephen Loach, an inflexible churchwarden.
Sexton, an uncharitable man. He refuses to bury Jack without his fee.