Publication Details | Synopsis | Secondary Commentary |Varieties & Dialects | Other
Publication details |
Author: Cumberland, Richard
Author dates: 1732-1811
Title: The Brothers
First played: 1769
First published: 1770, for W. Griffin [etc.] 72 p.
C18th availability: Available from ECCO (1791)
http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/ECCO?dd=0&locID=utoronto_main&d1=0811200900&srchtp=b&c=1&SU=All&d2=1&docNum=CW3314462723&b0=the+brothers+cumberland&h2=1&vrsn=1.0&b1=KE&d6=1&ste=10&dc=tiPG&stp=Author&d4=0.33&n=10&d5=d6
Modern availability: Available from LION (1997)
http://lion.chadwyck.com/toc.do?action=new&divLevel=0&mapping=toc&area=Drama&id=Z000069711&forward=tocMarc&DurUrl=Yes
Genre: Comedy
Character types: Nautical; Country
Synopsis |
Belfield Junior marries Sophia, who had been courted bigamously by his brother Belfield Senior, whose wife Violetta has just returned from Lisbon. Sir Benjamin Dove disciplines his wife.
Act I.
Goodwin and his son Philip, two fishermen, discuss their plight with Philip’s sister Fanny: the originally farming family has been banished from the squire’s estate and has been forced to turn to fishing as a means of subsistence. The squire’s brother, of a totally different character, is presumed dead. Goodwin goes to see a wrecked ship; Philip clandestinely follows him. Francis, Belfield Junior’s servant, brings his goods to Goodwin’s house. The sailors discuss the wreck: they attribute their ill luck to the presence of a woman (Violetta) on board. Belfield Junior tells Francis that he and his drunken uncle (also the captain) must not be seen by his “unnatural brother”, who owns part of the coastline; he has been known as Lewson on board so as not to be found out by those in his brother’s employ. Belfield Junior welcomes Violetta to England; she has been born to English parents but was raised in Lisbon, and joined their ship’s company when Belfield Junior rescued her from a wreck. Belfield Junior tells Violetta that Andrew Belfield owns this land; she gasps, but doesn’t explain this reaction. Belfield Junior recognizes Goodwin, who tells him that Miss Sophia is yet unmarried. Belfield Junior rushes to meet her. Violetta reveals that Andrew Belfield is her cruel yet beloved husband. The sailors drink to their wrecked ship. Captain Ironsides berates Skiff for directing them on the wrong course. Ironsides tells his nephew (Belfield Junior) that he should not bother with women; however, when he learns that Belfield Junior intends to court Sophia, he agrees to accompany him to visit her parents.
Act II.
Belfield Senior arrives at the home of Sir Benjamin Dove, Sophia’s father. Lucy, a maidservant, tells him he has treated her basely, which she denies. Philip’s affections towards Lucy were thwarted by Belfield’s advances, and were the cause of the Goodwin family’s banishment. Lucy threatens to expose him. Belfield Senior reminds Lucy that she is complicit: she pretended to be Sophia and was courted by Belfield Junior. Belfield Senior tells his plans to Paterson, who is an honest man and disapproves of Belfield Senior’s scheme to marry Sophia. Paterson wonders if Belfield Senior is already married to Violetta. Kitty, a servant, instructs Paterson to meet Lady Dove in a private place in the garden. Paterson is anxious about what to do; he did not intend to provoke Lady Dove into loving him. He asks Kitty to accompany him to the garden, but she refuses. Belfield Junior looks for Sophia in the garden, but comes upon Lady Dove waiting for Paterson. She is astonished to see him and is infuriated that he knows her secret. Lucy tells Sophia that she thinks she has seen the ghost of Belfield Junior, who has come to haunt her for having told lies. Lucy reveals that Belfield Junior did indeed love Sophia and that his brother plans to ruin them all. Belfield Junior meets Sophia and embraces her; they are interrupted by Lady Dove (who turns out to be Sophia’s stepmother), who threatens to tell her husband of their goings-on. Belfield Junior threatens to tell Sir Benjamin of Lady Dove’s clandestine relationship with Paterson, but she denies everything. Jonathan, a servant, tells Francis of Sir Benjamin’s new marriage. Ironsides arrives to visit Sir Benjamin, and teases him for his relaxed dress so late in the morning. Sir Benjamin describes only one thing as wanting from his marriage (disregarding his host’s careful explanations, Ironsides replies “My lady don’t breed, then?”). Lady Dove enters and is extremely rude to Ironsides. She tells Sir Benjamin that Belfield Junior plans to elope with Sophia. Ironsides denies this and takes his leave without eating with his host. Lady Dove urges her husband to act like a man.
Act III.
Violetta and Fanny Goodwin discuss the anticipated marriage of Belfield Senior to Sophia. Violetta debates telling Fanny her secret, but refrains from doing so when she is made jealous because Fanny describes Sophia as extremely beautiful. Sophia and Lucy discuss what Sophia should do to avoid marrying Belfield Senior. Belfield Junior returns. Sophia chides him for having gone to sea and left her, but confesses that she loves him. He mistakes her statement for a confession of love for his brother, but quickly realizes the mistake. Sophia tells Belfield Junior that she has a plan, and orders him to leave her; his brother intends to pay her a call. As they part, Violetta enters; Sophia is confused by Belfield Junior’s pleas to be kind to her. Violetta tells Sophia that Belfield is her husband (they do not realize they are speaking of different Belfields). Paterson brings Belfield Junior a message from Lady Dove: he is to quit Sophia immediately. Paterson tells Lady Dove that he did not defend her reputation from Belfield’s accusations. Lady Dove speaks privately to Sir Benjamin. Sir Benjamin tells her to take no notice of Belfield Junior, and that he has prevented their marriage by rearranging his financial affairs so that Sophia will bring him no dowry if she elopes. Lady Dove goads Sir Benjamin into challenging Belfield Junior.
Act IV.
Lucy leaves the Doves and asks her former suitor Philip for help. Belfield Senior sees her and vows vengeance on her for wrecking his plans for marriage to Sophia. He demands to see her, but Philip says that she is under his protection. They fight. Paterson enters and forces them to drop their swords. Ironsides enters and accuses his nephew of attempting to “murder an honest lad in his own house”. Belfield Senior insults Ironsides’ profession and leaves. Ironsides asks Philip about the duel’s cause. Sophia sees Belfield Junior, and asks him to consult Violetta to understand why she has broken off their relationship. Sir Benjamin tries to decide whether to fight Belfield; when he overhears Belfield saying that love has made him a coward, he decides the opportunity is ripe to prove himself. Belfield Junior realizes that the challenge is really just a show to impress Lady Dove, so he agrees to the fight. However, Sir Benjamin’s sword has rusted in its scabbard, and he cannot draw it. Lady Dove enters; Belfield Junior tells her that her husband has acquitted himself valiantly. In exchange for this kindness, Sir Benjamin allows Belfield Junior an hour’s conversation with Sophia. Sir Benjamin tells his wife that he will be the sole master of his household. Paterson enters and whispers something to her; Sir Benjamin orders him to refrain from taking such liberties in future. Paterson is gladdened by the “change of government”. Sir Benjamin tells his wife that he will turn her out of doors the following day. Belfield Senior enters; Sir Benjamin tells him that he can marry Sophia the next day.
Act V.
Goodwin scolds Francis for trying to seduce Fanny; however, the two would like to be married, so Goodwin quickly forgives him. Paterson arrives, looking for Violetta. Francis and Fanny go to find her. Goodwin asks Paterson whether there is any hope that Belfield Junior will marry Miss Dove; Paterson tells him that it is impossible. Paterson tells Violetta that the information she has given about her husband (Mr. Belfield) will greatly facilitate Belfield Senior’s match to Sophia. Violetta is shocked. When Paterson tells her that ‘Lewson’ is really Belfield Junior, they realize the mistake, and Paterson vows to help her. Sir Benjamin disciplines his wife, telling her that Paterson will be his friend, not hers. He summons Sophia, who does not agree to marry Belfield Senior. Paterson arrives to report that the bridegroom has arrived at the house. Paterson tells Sophia in confidence that Violetta is Belfield Senior’s wife, and that he has brought her to the house to prevent the match. Captain Ironsides and Belfield Junior arrive; Belfield Junior claims the one hour’s conversation with Sophia that he has been promised. Captain Ironsides tells Belfield Senior that he has made enough money privateering to buy up his and Sir Benjamin’s estates; the latter gentleman is interested in the prospect of these newfound riches. Sophia enters and says that Belfield is married; the company thinks she means Belfield Junior, but Belfield Senior admits his guilt. Violetta forgives him. Sir Benjamin consents to a match between Belfield Junior and Sophia. Ironsides offers to provide the couple with enough money to settle. Fanny and Francis, and Philip and Lucy, arrive; they too are to be married. Belfield Senior vows to spend the rest of his life atoning for his actions.
Secondary commentary |
A) Joseph J. Keenan Jr., ‘Richard Cumberland: February 19, 1732-May 7, 1811’. Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 89: Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Dramatists, Third Series. Edited by Paula R. Backscheider, University of Rochester. The Gale Group, 1989. LiteratureResourceCenter. 26 May 2008. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/LitRC?vrsn=3&OP=contains&locID=utoronto_main&srchtp=athr&ca=1&c=1&ste=6&tab=1&tbst=arp&ai=U13602361&n=10&docNum=H1200002662&ST=cumberland+richard&bConts=10927
"[A] play in which Cumberland puts forward one of his strongest themes: worldly wisdom pales in the light of natural virtue. Worldly wisdom is embodied in Belfield, Senior, a thoroughgoing villain, a man of infinite avarice, a man capable of bigamy, a man so caught up in vicious machinations that he utters the now stereotypical line of "foil'd again" when his plans go awry. Cumberland introduces this darkest of villains into comedy, and in the fifth act brings about his reformation, one of the falsities that mark sentimental comedy, one of the exaggerations that mark melodrama… in a letter to George Montagu, Horace Walpole says of The Brothers: "It acts well, but reads ill.""
Varieties & Dialects |
Overview of varieties / dialects
Some nautical language (particularly from Captain Ironsides and the Sailors), and a few vocabulary variations (“bestow’d” for “stowed away”) among the lower-class characters. Belfield Junior’s transition from “you” to “thou” when talking to Goodwin is striking.
Varieties / dialectsVariety: Goodwin and Philip (fishermen)
a. Sample of dialect
[page 1]
PHILIP.
It blows a rank storm; 'tis well, father, we haul'd the boat ashore before the weather came on; she's safe bestow'd however, let what will happen.
GOODWIN.
Ay, Philip, we had need be provident: except that poor skiff, my child, what have we left in this world that we can call our own?
PHILIP.
To my thoughts now we live as happily in this poor hut, as we did yonder in the great house, when you was 'squire Belfield's principal tenant, and as topping a farmer as any in the whole county of Cornwall.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “you was”; “we had need be”
b.3 Vocabulary: “bestow’d” (not usual sense “to give”; Philip means “stowed away”); “topping” (idiomatic)
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: lower-class (formerly farmers, now fishermen)
e. Consistency of representation: consistent
Variety: Belfield Junior
a. Sample of dialect
[page 7]
BELFIELD JUNIOR.
What is your astonishment, friend? Do you know me? If it was not for that habit, I shou'd say your name is Goodwin.
GOODWIN.
'Tis he; he is alive! my dear young master, Mr. Belfield! Yes, Sir, my name is Goodwin: however chang'd my appearance, my heart is still the same, and overflows with joy at this unexpected meeting.
BELFIELD JUNIOR.
Give me thy hand, my old, my honest friend; and is this sorry hole thy habitation?
[page 8 ]
GOODWIN.
It is.
BELFIELD JUNIOR.
The world I see has frown'd on thee since we parted.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “your name” until Goodwin reintroduces himself; then, “thy hand”, “thy habitation”, “thee” [a marked shift: is Belfield addressing Goodwin as lower-class, a rustic, or a familiar (i.e. French ‘tu’)?]
b.3 Vocabulary
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: nobleman turned pirate; reverts to his 'natural' social status when he recognizes a former tenant
e. Consistency of representation: the shift from “you” to “thou” is consistent; addresses all other characters as “you”
Variety: Sailors
a. Sample of dialect
[page 9]
SECOND SAILOR.
Avast there, Jack; stand clear and let his old honour pass; bless his heart, he looks chearly howsomever; let the world wag as it will, he'll never flinch.
THIRD SAILOR.
Not he; he's true English oak to the heart of him; and a fine old seaman-like figure he is.
IRONSIDES.
Ah, messmates, we're all a ground: I have been taking a parting cup with the charming Sally---She's gone; but the stoutest bark must have an end; master here and I did all we cou'd to lighten her; we took leave of her in an officer-like manner.
FIRST SAILOR.
Hang sorrow; we know the worst on't, 'tis only taking a fresh cruize; and for my part I'll sail with Captain Ironsides as far as there's water to carry me.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar
b.3 Vocabulary: “chearly” (cheerful); “howsomever” (however); Nautical: “Avast there”; “messmates”; “a ground” (aground); “seaman-like”, “officer-like” (concerned with duty and appearance, or is this just a sailor’s idiom?); “cruize”
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profiles: sailors
e. Consistency of representation: consistent
Variety: Captain Ironsides
a. Sample of dialect
[page 11]
IRONSIDES.
Fortunes quotha? what have two such old weather-beaten fellows, as thee and I are, to do with fortune; or, indeed, what has fortune to do with us? Flip and tobacco is the only luxury we have any relish for; had we fine houses, could we live in 'em? a greasy hammock has been our birth for these fifty years; fine horses, cou'd we ride em? and as for the fair sex there, that my nephew makes such a pother about, I don't know what thou may'st think of the matter, Skiff, but for my own part, I should not care if there were no such animals in the creation.
…
IRONSIDES.
Pshaw, you're a fool, Bob; these wenches will be the undoing of you; a plague of 'em altogether, say I; what are they good for, but to spoil company, and keep brave fellows from their duty? o'my conscience, they do more mischief to the king's navy in one twelve month, than the French have done in ten; a pack of---but I ha' done with 'em, thank the stars I ha' fairly wash'd my hands of 'em, I ha' nothing to say to none of 'em.
b.1 Orthography: “birth” (berth); “pother’ (bother); “ha’…’em”
b.2 Grammar: “thee”; “Flip and tobacco is”;’ “nothing to say to none”
b.3 Vocabulary
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: sea-captain; uncle to the noble Belfields
e. Consistency of representation: consistent
[page 46]
IRONSIDES.
Oh ho! my righteous nephew, is it you that are kicking up this riot? Why, you ungracious profligate, would you murder an honest lad in the door of his own house? ---his castle---his castellum---Are these your fresh-water tricks?
BELFIELD SENIOR.
Your language, Captain Ironsides, savours strongly of your profession; and I hold, both you, your occupation and opinion, equally vulgar and contemptible.
Other points of interest |
None.
©2009 Arden Hegele