Assignment Submitted by: Group 1 Aiman Farhat Tayyaba Laiba Submitted to: Mr.Fayyaz Aslam Class: BS5 SS2 English Subject: Classical Poetry Topic: Play “Secret Love” Contents SUMMARY OF PLAY “SECRET LOVE” OR “THE MAIDEN QUEEN” ........................................ 3 ABOUT PLAY ........................................................................................................................................ 3 GENRE .................................................................................................................................................... 3 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................. 3 PROLOGUES ......................................................................................................................................... 3 CHARACTERS SKETCH ..................................................................................................................... 3 ACT I ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 ACT II ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 ACT III .................................................................................................................................................... 6 ACT IV..................................................................................................................................................... 6 ACT V ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 8 SUMMARY OF PLAY “SECRET LOVE” OR “THE MAIDEN QUEEN” ABOUT PLAY Secret love is written in 1667 and published in 1668 by Henry Herringman in rhyme verse, blank verse and prose form. Dryden drew plot from the two prose fictions by madeleine de Scudery, le grand Cyrus (the main plot) and Ibrahim Ou Illustre Bassa (for the subplot). GENRE Tragic comedy SUMMARY PROLOGUES Play starts with two prologues, the first prologue describes that this play is derived from French and English theater. It contains all the features like unity of action, place and time by which a play features. It also contains Johnson’s humour and Corneille rhyme but the writer fears as if the plot is correct or not. He also explains the plays are like cities because they seem stronger from outside but still have some weaknesses. While in second prologue he is sent again to speak the rest, he bows to every great intellectual man, he will not see any critic to talk about his play. According to him no decision of critic should stand right as they prefer action more than talking, critics are so violent but the same thing protect them from their anger. He further elaborates that you all are may be genius or intelligent but writing is tiresome which is, may be the cause of your failure and if you are not included or abused in smart prologues you feel yourself like illused. A gentle or civil prologue is not approved by anyone, you hate it as you hate a common woman. At the end of the 2nd prologue, he reaches to the conclusion that critic is like judgmental brother, he is one of us but he has to criticize our work to show intelligence. CHARACTERS SKETCH Queen of Sicily Candiope, Princess of the Blood Asteria, the Queens Confident Florimell, A Maid of Honour Flavia, another Maid of Honour Olinda, Sisters Sabina, Mrs. Eliz. Davenport. Melissa, Mother to Olinda and Sabina Lysimantes, first Prince of the Blood Philocles, the Queens favorite Celadon, a Courtier Guards. Pages of Honour. Souldiers. ACT I The story of the play starts with the scene of SICILY. So, the scene is basically in the walks near the court where Celadon and Asteria (siblings) enters in order to have conversation. Both of them discuss the arrival of Celadon from a voyage as well as they discuss about, they type of lady Celadon wants. Celadon (a flirtious fellow interested in the outer beauty of ladies) replies he needs beautiful ladies in the court. He is interested in Melissa’s two fair daughters not to marry either of them but just for fun. His sister also recommends him a new beauty Florimell a beautiful lady as well as she guards the Queen ward. Their conversation is interrupted by a page because the Queen wants Asteria in her ward. The second scene starts when a few gentlemen accompanied with Florimell and Flavia masqued enters. Celadon talks about serving the ladies (Florimell and Flavia, he tries to persuade both of them in order to build relation Flavia as an intellectual and beautiful lady rejects him, he means nothing to her because she is aware of his flirtious nature. Flavia says “you are unconstant as moon”, but Florimel contradicts her by saying “you wrong to him he’s as constant as sun”. Celadon praises Florimell a lady with “oval face, clear skin, hazel eyes, thick brown eyebrows” and Flavia “she has nothing of it”. At the end of Caledon wants to take off Florimell’s masque but she didn’t let him. In addition to that, the 3rd scene starts with the entry of Philocles (lover of Queen) has unpleasant conversation with Celadon but on the dismal of Celadon Lysimantes and Philocles has a conversation over the marriage of queen with prince Lysimantes as the people of the state demands a king to take over the crown. According to Lysimantes “Queen is so pretty that any neighboring prince can marry her”. But the queen is not in the favor of marriage because she doesn’t want to impose a king upon herself. Even though, while having conversation with Philocles she gets angry because he also wants her to have a person for her but she rebuked him by saying “You are above them now; grown popular: Ah Philocles, could I expect from you That usage I have found! no tongue but yours To move me to a marriage?” — She further says And my ambitious Cousin gain a Crown; But what advantage could there come to you? Before Philocles’s dismissal a picture drop from the pocket of Philocles, picture of Lysimantes sister (Candiope). After hearing about the love of Philocles towards Lysimante’s Sister Queen won’t be able to control her feelings towards Philocles she confesses her love in front of Asteria. Is not this enough? Then, know, I love below myself; a Subject; Love one who loves another, and who knows not That I love him. Queen doesn’t want her love to be revealed because the society from which she belongs it is considered vulgar and unethical for a woman to confess her love for a man if she confesses her love she has to comprise on her honor which is impossible for her therefore Asteria makes a promise with her to keep her secret and let her suffer the pain of love. The act one ends at the planning between Queen and Asteria to stop the marriage of Philocles with Candiope. ACT II The scene I of act II starts when sola (spying on Candiope and Philocles) tell Astaria that Philocles is too constant with Candiope, he is deeply in love with her and she is unable to find their weakness. She further says Queen makes use of her authority if she wants to stop the marriage. In 2nd scene Celadon comes in Queen’s apartment in order to find a beauty for himself. The 3rd scene starts with the entrance of Florimell, Celadon wants to take off the masque she is wearing. Caledon is the type of character who can do anything to attract a girl towards himself he also makes fake promises with Florimell that he is deeply in love with her and he want to marry her and these words of Celadon makes Florimell believe in him. At the end of this scene both Celadon and Florimell makes an agreement to have relationship of one year or twelve months if both of them do not fed-up from each other than they’ll marry. Moreover, Scene IV is about Philocles, he tells Lysimantes that he is going to get permission of marriage from the queen. In scene V Philocles tries to persuade Queen that he wants to marry Candiope but Queen rejects his request and offer him the highest rank in the court. Not for that, Philocles, you deserve all things, And to show I think it, my Admiral I hear is dead His vacant place (the best in all my Kingdom,) I here confer on you. Philocles unable to get what queen wants? Also rejects her offer. He also criticizes her and asks her to marry Lysimantes but Queen tells him that she is in love with someone else but Philocles tries to persuade her to marry Lysimantes as no one is better than Lysimantes. After having harsh conversation Queen rebuked Philocles to get out of her sight. ACT III This act starts from the court gallery where Asteria enters and Queen tells her about the heart aching conversation with Philocles. On the other hand, Candiope enters crying and tells Philocles that his mother does not want her to meet Philocles and she won’t let this weeding happen. Then, Queen makes vulgar remarks on how’s she looking today? Her dressing? And lots of other things. But Candiope replies Philocles love her above from materialistic things. Because of Queen’s refusal from conducting their marriage both Philocles and Candiope decide to elope but Queen hears their conversation and asks Lysimantes to arrest both of them in order to punish them. Flavia tries to persuade Florimell that celadon is just flirting with her and offers her a trick to test the sincerity of celadon by sending him a letter from Melissa’s daughters. While having conversation with Florimell he receives a letter from Melissa’s daughters but when Florimell asks him about the letter he says letter is from his friend about some business and both of them exit. ACT IV Act IV starts from “The Walks” where Melissa is in conversation with both of her daughters. She calls them separately and asks them about are they love Celadon or not! Olinda replies she is not in love, just attracted towards him while Sabina replies she is just interested in him but if Melissa wants her to marry him then she will fulfill her wish. Celadon enters, Olinda rejects him while Sabina wants this gentleman. Florimell rebuked Celadon for his flirtious nature, Florimell also has an argument with Sabina but then Lysimantes comes with orders from Queen. Florimell informs Flavia about this. Lysimantes also knows about Queen’s love with Philocles and he decides to get throne from the Queen. Lysimantes: Was ever such amazing news Told in so strange and critical a moment! What shall I do! Does she love Philocles, who loves not her; And loves not Lysimantes who prefers her Lysimantes persuades Philocles to revolt against Queen both of them collects their soldiers. In Scene II of Act IV which starts from Queen’s apartment where Queen asks Asteria is there any news from Philocles and she says no. Asteria looking at the Queen asks to sing the song that Queen has written for Philocles. Song (Hidden flame) “Hidden flame” the song is sung by Asteria her page on behalf of the Queen. The Queen belonged from 18th century where confessing love by a female was considered shameless and unethical. Females were not allowed to express their feelings same is the cause with Queen where she selects her page to express her feelings. Through the song, Queen wants to say, the feeling of love is going to strengthened in me without my consent. I admit it is painful experience still I appreciate it that its removal makes me die. I am not allowed to confess, it may be cruel for me. Let the words of heart be in heart, let him suffer and sacrifice. My heart suffers quietly because love itself is rewarding practice. While I conceal my love, no frown can fright me When the song ends Asteria inform that her guards are being collected by Philocles and they started revolt against her. Asteria asks Queen to escape from this place. When Philocles reaches there, he searches for Queen everywhere but won’t be able to get her. Philocles questions Asteria where is Queen? She did wrong to him even though he serves him loyalty. But Asteria tells she won’t even think about doing any harm to him. Ast. But spare my Vow, and guess what it may be That makes the Queen deny Candiope: 'Tis neither hate nor pride that moves her mind; Methinks the Riddle is not hard to find. When Asteria tells Philocles about how much Queen loves him then she exits leaving him in confusion whom does he choose. Phil. One thing I have resolv'd; and that I'le do Both for my love, and for my honour too. But then, (Ingratitude and falshood weigh'd,) ACT V In this act Florimel argues with Olinda and Sabina and asks Celadon to choose between Florimell and Melissa’s daughters. Celadon selects Florimel and they decide to make some rules so that they won’t restrict each other for whatever they will do. Both of them decide not to interfere whatever other person do after getting marriage. On the other hand, Philocles decides to choose love instead of power. He also has a conversation with Queen. Queen asks him to get out of her sight because he knows her secret. Philocles replies in these words: Phil. Now I love both, and both with equal flame. Wretched I came, more wretched I retire, When two winds blow it who can quench the fire! Asteria enters and Queen asks her about why she told her secret to Philocles. Then Lysimantes enters, Queen questions him about the revolt he started and he replies that her state needs a King she’s too stubborn about getting marriage and he also knows she loves someone who is Philocles. Then Philocles enters and Queen tells him she and her cousin are agreed, he was engaged to lay army. Queen asks Philocles to take Candiope and be happy with her. Take your Candiope; and be as happy As love can make you both: —how pleas'd I am That I can force my tongue, To speak words so far distant from my heart! — Philocles asks Queen that Lysimantes is the right person for her and Queen makes him the King. Florimel and Celadon decide to marry each other with the rules they decided. Lysimantes vows to remain single in his life. At the end Queen says her joys are full. This great content, to think, when I am dead My Crown may fall on Philocles his head. Conclusion So, this play is written to show awareness of the culture dominant during restoration period in which Courtly love was dominant. This play is tragic comedy because Queen does not get her love while Celadon and Florimell's non seriousness about relations adds comic element to the play. So that’s all about the play ‘Secret Love’ with four subplots, full of Courtly love.
