She Stoops to Conquer

• She Stoops to Conquer, or Mistakes of a Night, was written in 1771 by Irish author Oliver Goldsmith, and was first performed at London's Covent Garden Theatre in 1773.
• The play has been a part of the English theatrical canon because of its instant success.
• It is a comedy of manners, poking fun at the way people behave in different social classes.
• The central problem of the play is the young man’s inability to communicate with women of his own class, i.e. the gentry.
• To win Kate Hardcastle's heart, young Marlow loosens up and gains confidence with lower class women and poses as a barmaid.
• Goldsmith satirizes the whole social set within the frame of this central conceit, in particular the aspirational Mrs. Hardcastle and her indolent son, Tony Lumpkin.
• Goldsmith, born in Ireland into humble circumstances, moved in fashionable circles of Georgian London due to his success as a writer, giving him a waspish wit and a keen eye to the upper classes.
• The play is still very popular nearly 250 years later.
• Men and women are portrayed behaving badly, giving audiences a good laugh while holding a mirror up to society.
• Oliver Goldsmith scrapped his original title, The Mistakes of a Night, minutes before the opening night curtain.
• The actresses playing Kate and Mrs. Hardcastle quarreled over who would deliver the epilogue.
• Credit is due since the play was a success, as it saved English theater from dull, sentimental comedies and remains one of the most produced English comedies.

Restoration Comedy

• London theaters shut down and were demolished after Shakespeare's time.
• Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell believed that all of England should behave under Puritan rules, banning celebrations, sports, colorful dresses, and makeup for 18 years (1642–1660) during the Commonwealth of England, as “pointless enjoyment" was unnecessary.
• Charles II took the throne in 1660 after living in exile in France, financially supporting arts and culture upon his return to England, which he enjoyed.
• He licensed two theater companies, the King's Men and the Duke's Men, who began producing plays at an astonishing rate on tennis courts upon regaining power.
• After 18 years of Puritan laws, England burst forward in color and entertainment, introducing women on stage during the Restoration Period.
• Plays explored risqué themes from the strict regulations, as plain black and white outfits were replaced with colorful clothes, lace, ribbons, ruffles, bows, and periwigs.

Elements of Puritanism

• Puritanism embodies the pursuit of all that was denied, with characters actively pursuing money, sex, gossip, and pleasure.
• Characters of wits, fops, flirts, and country bumpkins were good-looking and well-dressed.
• She Stoops to Conquer came along as the Industrial Revolution brought huge changes to England.
• City life took center stage, the play reflecting the upheaval people were experiencing socially and economically, as the old country traditions were threatened.

Comedy of Manners

• A "Comedy of Manners" is a genre describing plays that poke fun at social and behavior codes and manners of the time.
• Comedy is often found in whether or not a character upholds societal standards and what happens when there is conflict between behavior and social expectations.
• Characters navigate this conflict in a humorous way, all while maintaining elegant wit and repartee.
• The Country Wife (1675), The Way of the World (1700), She Stoops to Conquer (1773), and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) are prominent examples.
• Charles Marlow should be treating Mr. Hardcastle, friend of his mother's and his potential future father-in-law, with duty and respect; however, Marlow believes he is at an inn, so he is rude and demanding.
• Kate bucks polite society to impersonate a barmaid, learning what Marlow is like when he's not speaking to society women.

Dramatis Personae: Plot and Characters

The Hardcastle Household

• Mr. Hardcastle is the husband of Mrs. Hardcastle, Kate's father, and Tony's stepfather, and a good friend of Lady Marlow.
• Mrs. Hardcastle is Mr. Hardcastle's wife, Tony and Kate's mother.
• Kate Hardcastle is Mr. Hardcastle's daughter, Tony's half-sister, the cousin of Contstance, and is intended by her father to marry Charles Marlow.
• Tony Lumpkin is the son of Mrs. Hardcastle, Mr. Hardcastle's stepson, half-sister of Kate, and is intended by his mother to marry his cousin, Constance.
• Constance Neville is the orphaned niece and ward of Mrs. Hardcastle, cousin of Kate and Tony, and intended by Mrs. Hardcastle to marry Tony.
• Servants, maid

Others

• Lady Marlow is the mother of Charles and a good friend of Mr. Hardcastle.
• Charles Marlow is the son of Lady Marlow and intended by his father to marry Kate.
• George Hastings is a good friend of Charles Marlow.
• The Landlord of the Three Pigeons Alehouse is a drinking companion of Tony Lumpkin.

Plot Synopsis

• Wealthy countryman Mr. Hardcastle arranges for Kate is daughter to meet Marlow, who is the son of his rich Londoner friend, hoping the pair will marry.
• Marlow prefers lower-class women because he finds them less intimidating than women of high society
• Kate decides to pretend to be 'common' to get Marlow to woo her during their first encounter.
• Kate Stoops to Conquer,' posing as a maid and hoping to put Marlow at his ease so he falls for her.
• Marlow is setting out for Mr. Hardcastle's manor, accompanied by a friend, George Hastings, an admirer of Miss Constance Neville, another young lady who lives with the Hardcastles.
• The two men get lost, stopping at the The Three Jolly Pigeons alehouse for directions.
• Kate's step-brother and Constance's cousin Tony Lumpkin realizes the stranger's identity, and plays a practical joke by telling them they are far from their destination and will have to stay overnight at an inn.
• The "inn” he directs them to is in fact the home of the Hardcastles; however, Marlow and Hastings believe Tony, proceeding to Hardcastle manor.
• The Hardcastles are expecting them and go out of their way to make them welcome.
• Marlow and Hastings, believing themselves at an inn, behave disdainfully towards their hosts.
• Hardcastle bears their unwitting insults with forbearance due to his friendship with Marlow's mother.
• Kate learns of her suitor's shyness from Constance, and a servant tells her about Tony's trick.
• She decides to masquerade as a serving-maid (changing her accent and garb) to get to know him.
• Marlow falls in love with Kate, but because she appears of a lower class, he acts in a somewhat bawdy manner around her, and plans to elope.
• All misunderstandings are resolved by the end with an appearance by Lady Marlow.
• The main sub-plot concerns the secret romance between Constance and Hastings.
• Constance needs her jewels, an inheritance, guarded by Tony's mother, Mrs. Hardcastle, who wants Constance to marry her son in order to keep the jewels in the family.
• Tony despises the thought of marrying Constance, preferring a barmaid at the alehouse, and agrees to steal the jewels from his mother's safekeeping for Constance so she can elope to France with Hastings.
• The play concludes with Kate's plan succeeding, and she and Marlow become engaged.
• Tony finds out that his mother saying he was "of age" was a lie, therefore being entitled to his inheritance, he refuses to marry Constance.

A World of Contradictions

City vs. countryside, men vs. women, rich vs. poor.

• She Stoops to Conquer is filled polarities, which Goldsmith uses to create comic opposition.

Truth Stranger Than Fiction

• The play was inspired by true events where Goldsmith was tricked into thinking that a friend's country home was local inn before realizing his error when he asked for the bill the next morning.

Prologue

• The prologue is a single monologue delivered by an actor in black clothing with a handkerchief to his eyes, separate from the main cast.
• The actor is in mourning because the "Comic muse,” is now dying, affecting him greatly as an actor who makes his living performing in comic plays.
• Oliver Goldsmith, called the self-styled doctor, has prepared five draughts (the play itself, composed of five acts) to cure the muse and appease the audience.
• If the cure is effective, the doctor will be given his “degree,” and if not, he will “receive no fee” and be denounced as a fraud.

Act 1

Scene 1

• The Act begins inside the Hardcastle manor, where Mr. Hardcastle and Mrs. Hardcastle want to to visit town, but Mr. Hardcastle is against it.
• They talk about Tony, Mrs. Hardcastle's son from her first marriage, and Mr. Hardcastle berates Mrs. Hardcastle for raising Tony to be idle and ill-behaved.
• Mrs. Hardcastle defends Tony, pointing out that he never had an education, but Mr. Hardcastle then replies that the only schools Tony is willing to go to are the alehouse and the stables.
• Mrs. Hardcastle greets Tony and asks where he is off to, and Tony replies that he is going to The Three Pigeons alehouse, but Mrs. Hardcastle tries to persuade Tony not to go and he brushes off his mother's entreaties.
• Miss Kate Hardcastle and Mr. Hardcastle talk about a gentleman Mr. Hardcastle has chosen to be her suitor.
• Mr. Hardcastle discloses that the gentleman is Charles Marlow, known as the son of Sir Charles Marlow.
• Marlow's virtues are that he is scholarly, generous, and very handsome, but Kate is less pleased when Mr. Hardcastle mentions that he is reserved.
• Kate is suspicious of modesty and then says that he must prepare his household and exits, with Miss Constance Neville entering.
• Constance asks Kate why she looks troubled, and Kate replies that Marlow is to be her suitor, but Constance then informs Kate that her admirer, Mr. George Hastings is a close acquaintance of Marlow's.
• Constance and Kate then discuss how Mrs. Hardcastle wants to secure Constance's small fortune (jewels) by marrying Constance off to Tony.
• Constance feigns affection for Tony in order to appease Mrs. Hardcastle, as Constance and Tony have a mutual hatred for each other.

Scene 2

• The setting shifts to the interior of an alehouse, where Tony sings a song that he composed with his friends surrounding him.
• The landlord enters to inform Tony that two foreigners are asking for directions to Mr. Hardcastle's estate, and Tony suspects one is the suitor his sister is expecting.
• Instead of revealing identity Marlow and Hastings enter, which Tony informs the two that Mr. Hardcastle's estate is a long way off and they stop for the night before continuing with their journey.
• Tony directs them to a nearby inn that is actually the Hardcastle manor itself.

Act 2

• Act 2 takes place inside the Hardcastle manor.
• Mr. Hardcastle and a few servants reminds them to behave their best for Marlow's visit, and hear a coach arriving.
• Marlow and Hastings, led by a servant, enter and remark that the house is a fine-looking place (houses are converted into inns after the master falls to misfortune).
• Marlow and Hastings talk about Marlow's travels and his yet unlearnt knowledge about women.
• Marlow is comfortable with women of low station and falters in the presence of "modest” women, so he reveals plans to break off his engagement with Kate.
• Marlow and Hastings dismiss Mr. Hardcastle's attempts at conversation and bluntly ask for refreshments because of his impression that Mr. Hardcastle is an innkeeper.
• Mr. Hardcastle is appalled at the impudence of the two young men, and Marlow and Hastings are annoyed at how overbearing Mr. Hardcastle is for an innkeeper.
• Marlow and Hastings then ask for the "bill of fare” (menu for supper), and Mr. Hardcastle takes great offense at the upscale and elaborate dishes listed, but hides his reaction and exits to ready their supper.
• Constance and Hastings are surprised yet delighted to see each other, so Constance surmises that they are not at an inn, that must have been misled by the mischievous Tony.
• Constance then implores Hastings to keep this information from Marlow, who will surely flee from embarrassment if he learns of their blunder.
• Hastings successfully convinces Marlow that Constance and Kate just happen to be staying at the inn as well through pure coincidence.
• Hastings introduces Kate and Marlow, but Marlow immediately finds himself flustered and unable to speak clearly, but make small talk anyway.
• Marlow apologizes for not having had much experience with women, however Kate assures him that she does not find his company tiresome.
• Tony and Constance enter, while Mrs. Hardcastle and Hastings follow and subtly make fun of Mrs. Hardcastle's provincial sensibilities and lack of taste, but she is under the impression that Hastings dotes on her.
• Mrs. Hardcastle intends to introduce them to Hastings, and when she calls for Tony and Constance Tony refuses, Mrs. Hastings concedes and exits with Constance after Hastings offers to talk some sense into Tony.
• Hastings confesses feels that he and Constance and are lovers who plan to elope to Tony and vows to help Hastings with his plan.

Act 3

• Act 3 takes place inside the Hardcastle manor where Mr. Hardcastle remarks that Marlow is far from the well-mannered young man his father makes him out to be.
• Kate and Mr. Hardcastle talk about Marlow, where Mr. Hardcastle expresses displeasure at the young man's impudence, but Kate disagrees and claims that Marlow possesses qualities befitting a husband.
• Kate vows prove Mr. Hardcastle wrong after they disagree about Marlow.
• Tony enters with Constance's inheritance of jewelry, then Hastings informs Tony that he and Constance will run off shortly, and Tony promptly hands him the jewels that he stole from his mother's drawers.
• Tony assures Hastings that he'll take care of Mrs. Hardcastle, since Hastings is surprised at this since Constance is trying to procure the very same jewels for the moment.
• Constance tries to persuade Mrs. Hardcastle to let her wear jewels.
• Tony whispers that he will make lie and declare the jewels missing so as to suffer Constance's pleas no more, since Mrs. Hardcastle refuses since women shouldn't look so flamboyant.
• Constance is unfazed by Tony's suggestion since he informs her that the jewels are already in the possession of Hastings.
• Mrs. Hardcastle enters once more in hysterics after discovering that the jewels are missing, however she is faking so Tony reacts as if Mrs. Hardcastle is merely faking.
• After Mrs. Hardcastle clarifies that the jewels really have been stolen Tony regards Mrs. Hardcastle with disbelief.
• Mrs. Hardcastle runs Tony off the stage with great temper, and Kate enters her newly donned modest attire, but wants to decieve Marlow In order to catch him off his guard.
• Marlow enters, thinking she is a common bar-maid and readily makes conversation, and complements her asks if she called for a maid and the maid affirms her plan to pass as a bar-maid.
• Kate points out that he is being forward with her when moments ago he was to reserved around "Miss Hardcastle.”
• Marlow explains that, underneath it all, he is actually quite merry and popular with women, such as those found in the “Ladies' Club” in town, so Kate points out that he is being so forward with her when, moments ago, he was so reserved.
• When seeing Mr. Hardcastle Marlowe immediately drops Kate's hand since he is approaching, but asserts to Marlow that Harlow has "only the faults that will pass off with time, and the virtues that will improve with age."
• Mr. Hardcastle gives her until nightfall to prove that Marlow is, despite his impudence, a man of honor.
• Kate asks for her proof with a request the alloted hour.

Act 4

• Hastings informs Constance that Sir Charles Marlow, Marlow's father, will arrive at the estate soon, so Hastings informs to the other person, so they must leave before he does, so they are not found out.
• Constance asks about the jewels, and Hastings assures her that he has given the jewels to Marlow for safekeeping, and that he will ready the horses and send a letter when it is time to leave.
• Harlow followed by a servant enters they talk of the temporary care of placing the casket of jewels since Harlow's conversation revealed has entrusted the casket of jewels to the servant, intending them to be placed in the temporary care of the “landlady,” Mrs. Hardcastle.
• Hasting discovers that Marlowe has unwittingly returned Constance's jewels to Mrs. Hardcastle, and is dismayed but does not let Marlow see it.
• Mr. Hardcastle is trying to temper his anger, but informs Marlow that the servants he came with are acting irresponsibly and are currently inebriated.
• Mr. Hardcastle demands that Harlow and his entourage leave the premises immediately with high temper, Marlow asks to bring him his bill, and goes on that the letter he received from Sir Charles Marlow made no mention of Harlow's impudence.
• Marlow does not see the problem, so dismisses Mr. Hardcastle's concern, being left confused at his comment.
• Harlow discovers that Kate enters saying that Marlow is at the Hardcastle manor, not in a country inn because she says his exact position is at the inn since she is still dressed like a maid.
• Harlow is immediately mortified at how he had been treating Mr. Hardcastle.
• Kate apologizes to Marlow, but still believes she is a maid, with Harlow prepares to leave, showing he has fallen for her, and is touched by her reaction.
• Harlow says that their difference that he must appease his father prevents him from legitimizing their connection, where their sole together and Marlow exits.
• Since both Tony and Constance enter talk of Mrs. Hardcastle once more, then the two are feigning affection towards is now in possession of jewels.
• Because Tony does not realize who the sender gives his mother a sealed letter from Hastings, and Mrs. Hardcastle learns of Hastings and Constance's plans to elope since no one understood Hastings.
• For his blunder Constance berates Tony.
• But Hastings insists that is betraying Tony, and Constance’s un undone them.
• Marlow accuses them all of making a fool out of him because the trick to thinking was given at and Constance calls on by mrs and is given and is in distress so help to Tony.

Act 5

• Mix up and is the younger so have plans
• Understandings by that Kate devised to show her in love on.
• 40 they tell they not and their love
• See thief, but in backyard.
• Have is good, can be is will not to has and their party.

Quotes

"Ask Me No Questions, And I'll Tell You No Lies"

• Tony Lumpkin offers Mr. Hastings to elope with Miss Neville so that he can elope with Miss Neville, but Mrs. Hardcastle is delighted because he has resists his mother's efforts to make a match between himself and the young lady in question.
• Tony offers to help Hastings with Miss Neville's jewels, for the sake of elopement the young lady is offered

"The Very Pink Of Perfection"

• Tony Lumpkin is the son of Mrs. Hardcastle Miss Neville lives with the Hardcastles, and waits for the arrival of her own sweetheart, who is en route from London with his friend and wants is Marlow wants and the daughter

"Women And Music Should Never Be Dated"

• Mr. Marlow is extremely bashful for woman. Miss Hardcastle sends Marlow and his traveling companion, Mr. Hastings, at the local alehouse meets Miss so Mr.
• Harlow meets Miss and can is still there and his is how women would or an old must.
• The main themes in She Stoops to Conquer are concealment and revelation, class distinctions, and freedom and constraint.
• Concealment and revelation: Kate's disguise and deception allows much of the plays and themes to emerge and on characters a reality.
• Class distinctions: Kate and Marlow in the film cases it defines others, with its impressions and in the to and in and or.
• Freedom and constraint: Both Constance and Tony seek to seek in the limited in their own courses, since it is imposed by Mrs. Hardcastle.

Themes: Concealment and Revelation

• Characters are represented and have for reasons, since dissimaltion is primary agent of the play.
• tony represents deception his in their the constant he has.
• Constance also mis mis hers or herself.
• The or is his as of upper class women