Publication Details | Synopsis | Secondary Commentary |Varieties & Dialects | Other
Publication details |
Author: Cumberland, Richard
Author dates: 1732-1811
Title: Lovers’ Resolutions
First played: 1802
First published: 1813, for G. and W. Nicol ... by W. Bulmer [etc.] 1813
2 v.
C18th availability: Not available (not 18thC)
Modern availability: Available from LION (1996)
http://lion.chadwyck.com/searchFulltext.do?id=Z000070049&divLevel=0&queryId=../session/1216313087_25975&trailId=11A976A0F33&area=Drama&forward=textsFT&warn=Yes&size=171Kb
Genre: Comedy
Character types: Class-Crossing; Business / Trades; Military
Synopsis |
Major Manford is approached by his former lover, Lady Caroline, who is newly separated from her husband Malcolm. He initially rejects her, but they are reunited at the end of the play. Manford's ward Fanny falls in love with Manford's friend Johnny Worthiman. The Mapletofts write their will, deciding whether to leave it to their man-milliner nephew Timothy or to Worthiman (they choose the latter).
Act I.
Lord Burville interrupts Major Manford’s banter with his servant David. Lady Caroline, Lord Burville’s daughter, is now separated from her husband, Sir Richard Malcolm; Manford was her lover before the marriage. Seeking to make amends Lord Burville offers Lady Caroline’s hand to Manford, who refuses it. Despite Burville’s pleadings, Manford is resolute. Fanny Rivers, Manford’s ward, comes in to show Manford a portrait that she has made of his servant David. She has accepted a monetary gift from old Mapletoft for singing for him. Manford tells her that he regards her only as his friend’s sister and that he is unmoved by her beauty; she starts to cry. The Mapletofts discuss how they should behave now that they are rich. Their nephew Timothy, a man-milliner, enters; he has left his shop in town to see his aunt and uncle. The Mapletofts have gained their riches through an unexpected legacy. Major Manford and Miss Rivers arrive. The servants dislike Timothy and mock him. Mrs. Mapletoft’s nephew Captain Johnny Worthiman arrives; he also dislikes Timothy. Worthiman and Manford catch up on army news. They go to hear Fanny sing.
Act II.
General Highmore, Lord Burville’s brother, meditates upon his brother’s actions. He says that Manford was in the right to refuse Lady Caroline, that women do not die of broken hearts, and that Burville must find an occasion to challenge Manford so that his character can be redeemed in Manford’s eyes. Burville tells Lady Caroline that Manford has rejected her; she admires him all the more and says that it is certain that he will marry Fanny Rivers. Caroline wants to go to the Mapletofts’ to hear Fanny sing, and has a secret project in mind. Manford orders David to prepare his pistols in case Lord Burville listens to his crackpot brother and decides to fight with him. Worthiman tells Manford that the London air does not agree with him and that he intends to leave immediately. Worthiman has fallen in love with Fanny after having spent ten minutes in her company; he envies Manford his proximity to her. General Highmore arrives. Manford orders that his pistols be brought and preemptively challenges the General. However, the General proves to be a coward and refuses to go through with it. Worthiman and Fanny flirt; Fanny suggests that she and Manford may visit Worthiman in the country, to his delight. Lady Caroline arrives to inspect Fanny’s drawings; she buys them and weeps, causing Fanny to realize that she is Lady Caroline Malcolm. Lady Caroline says that she will return the following day.
Act III.
Mapleton writes his will; both nephews are summoned. In a Lear-like scene, Timothy, the next of kin, praises his uncle and insults Worthiman; Worthiman replies that he has nothing to say. When Timothy privately accuses Worthiman of trying to usurp the fortune by appealing to his aunt, Worthiman simply says that he is mistaken. Worthiman asks Manford if he will find out what Fanny thinks of him. Manford does not tell him to pursue her, but he does not dissuade him either. Fanny approaches, and Worthiman leaves. Fanny tells Manford that Lady Caroline visited him and nearly fainted when she was about to see Manford’s portrait. Manford says that he would have treated her kindly in that situation, as Fanny did. Fanny produces the bank-note; it says that Lady Caroline will pay Fanny an annual sum as it is not fair for Lady Caroline to continue to receive a token from the man who no longer loves her. Manford leaves the room angrily, but returns momentarily to tell Fanny that he loved (and still loves, says Fanny) Lady Caroline to distraction. Lady Caroline arrives, and Manford leaves according to Lady Caroline’s request that Fanny be alone in the house. Lady Caroline says that she will give Fanny two hundred pounds annually as a sufficient dowry to be Manford’s wife. Fanny denies any romantic involvement with Manford, to Lady Caroline’s surprise. Manford enters to say that Lady Caroline’s father has arrived; at the sight of her, he nearly faints, and must be carried out by servants. Worthiman conducts Lady Caroline to her father’s coach.
Act IV.
Manford has recovered from his fainting spell; he tells Fanny and Worthiman that he thinks he should run away to Worthiman’s country house. Fanny agrees to go there as well. Worthiman and Manford disagree about whether Manford should pardon Lady Caroline for the past lacerations his heart has undergone. General Highmore tells Lord Burville and Lady Caroline that they must make an immediate journey to the country. Worthiman tells Burville and Lady Caroline that Manford has recovered and that he loves Lady Caroline, but refuses to admit it. Timothy Mapletoft meets Manford’s servant David in the street; David tries to guess at his profession. Timothy offers David beautiful clothes for the rest of his life if he can arrange to have Timothy throw his person at her feet. David tells him that he will introduce him to her immediately, but that Timothy will have to leave by being thrown out the window. General Highmore comes to visit the convalescent Manford; he says that his brother is extremely cowardly. Because Caroline has summoned the lawyer to make her will, everyone believes that she is going to die. To the General’s surprise, Manford says that he will follow her when she makes her visit to the country.
Act V.
Timothy says that he is in love with Fanny Rivers. His uncle Mapletoft enters and instructs him in various maxims of good behaviour. David returns the letter Timothy sent to Fanny; she has refused to read it. His uncle reads it and banishes him from the house, saying that he will disinherit him. Worthiman has spoken of his feelings to Fanny, who has told him that she will not marry until Manford can also do so. Manford capitulates and sends Fanny and Worthiman to ensure that Lady Caroline’s love has not yet turned to hatred. Lady Caroline tells her father that it is hopeless to continue chasing after Manford. Worthiman and Fanny arrive; they return Lady Caroline’s pocketbook to her. They ask for permission for Manford to wait on Lady Caroline; her father denies them this permission, as it will be too painful. Inside the pocketbook is Manford’s portrait; Lady Caroline says that she will return it to Fanny. Manford waits outside; Worthiman tells Lady Caroline that he will accept the charge of telling Manford that she does not want to see him. Lady Caroline agrees to see Manford. Manford and Lady Caroline explain each of the sides of their ill-fated romance of the past. Lady Caroline says she will be a true soldier’s wife; Manford is delighted and they forgive each other. Lord Burville gives them his blessing. Fanny and Worthiman happily confirm their engagement. The Mapletofts enter to offer to give Fanny and Worthiman a good wedding. Tim comes in with boxes of clothing from his shop; although Mapletoft tells the company that he is a bad nephew, Burville refuses to hear anything unpleasant and offers to accommodate his parcels. Manford says that the lovers will keep their resolutions to seek their guardians’ approbations.
Secondary commentary |
None.
Varieties & Dialects |
Overview of varieties / dialects
A few characters who attempt to cross classes (the newly Mapletofts and their man-milliner nephew Tim Mapletoft) speak in non-standard English as they try to improve their speech patterns. John Worthiman regularly uses “don’t” (for “doesn’t”) and “you was”. Fanny uses “professor” for “professional”, and a servant makes a small grammatical slip.
Varieties / dialectsVariety: The Mapletofts
a. Sample of dialect
[Page 384]
Map.
No, no, dame Deborah, since this great fortune has come bounce upon us, we'll do the tasty thing, and live genteely.
Mrs. Map.
How shall we live genteely? Who'll live with us, but such as come to pillage and make game of us? Sam Mapletoft, Sam Mapletoft, I tell you, you never will shake off your homely breeding. 'Tis in the bone of you, and will not out.
Map.
Well, well, though a man can't new make himself, he may mend himself. I think I get on in my talk pretty well.
Mrs. Map.
Aye, if you didn't get on so fast, it would be all the better; I wish, my good man, you could once be convinc'd, that when you've literally nothing to say, you have positively the best reason in the world for saying nothing.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “has come bounce” (bouncing); “Who’ll…but such as”; “’Tis in the bone of you”; “new make himself” (non-standard syntax)
b.3 Vocabulary: “the tasty thing” (for social taste!)
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profiles: newly rich
e. Consistency of representation: consistent (some non-StE throughout)
Variety: Ben (servant)
a. Sample of dialect
[Page 385]
Ben.
'Squire! Master Timothy is com'd. Here he is.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “Timothy is com’d”
b.3 Vocabulary
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: servant
e. Consistency of representation: this scene only
Variety: Timothy Mapletoft
a. Sample of dialect
[page 385]
Tim.
Honour'd uncle, your faithful! Aunt, your humble! Rejoice to see you. Had your letter per post, 26th ultimo? Struck work directly: left the shop to the foreman; hadn't time to say Good bye to any body: all the town cried out, Where's Tim Mapletoft agoing? Jump'd into my gig; was off in a crack, and behold here I am.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: omits subjects of sentences; “agoing”
b.3 Vocabulary
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: a fashionable man-milliner (a profession mocked throughout the play)
e. Consistency of representation: consistent
Variety: John Worthiman
a. Sample of dialect
[page 389]
Worth.
That's well; but I'm no captain. Honour enough for me to side a private in a brave troop of yeomen; I am an Isle of Thanet man, do you see---But surely, surely, I shou'd know your face. Was'nt you with Captain Manford in my house during the embarkation?
[page 390]
Worth.
All brave and hearty---Major I'm to call you. Well, I'm proud to see you. They told me you was wounded.
[Page 396]
Wor.
Nay, nothing, but that I shall be much better in the country. London don't suit me. I believe the air don't agree with me. It has a strange effect upon my spirits.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “wasn’t you…?”; “you was”; “London don’t”; “the air don’t”
b.3 Vocabulary
c. Nationality: English (Kent)
d. Character profile: member of the “Kentish yeomanry”
e. Consistency of representation: consistent errors (as above)
Variety: Fanny Rivers
a. Sample of dialect
[page 401]
Fan.
I dare say they are much more rational, and much more eligible. Time don't hang heavy on your hands, I can well believe.
[Page 404 ]
Fan.
Simply an amateur, Madam; not a professor.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “time don’t”
b.3 Vocabulary: “professor” (professional)
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: orphaned sister of a dead soldier
e. Consistency of representation: these examples are the only instances of non-StE in her speech
None.
Other points of interest |
None.
©2009 Arden Hegele