'TIS PITY SHE'S
A WHORE
[A BIT ABOUT THE PLAY]
[A BIT ABOUT THE PLAY]
This is what the play is about:
Near the beginning of the play, Giovanni [Stephen's character] says:
That quote is a summary of the play. The play revolves around Giovanni and Annabella. Giovanni is madly in love with Annabella, his sister. Love of her is everything to him. He can't get past it, and he doesn't want to. The same is true for her. Every other suitor pales beside Giovanni.
Giovanni crystalises this theme when he says:
Ultimately fate leaves no possibility of happiness in this world. Giovanni, to save her honour, knows that they both must die. Yet, still he hopes their love will survive. When he goes to talk to her before he kills her, he says:
Annabella too, sees death as the only hope of honour. She sings: Che mortè piu dolce che morire per amore? [What death is sweeter than to die for love?] (IV. iii 59)
And just before he dies, Giovanni again hopes that love will survive death:
And then he dies. But he is sure, as are we, that where ever he ended up, their souls would be together. Like Cathy and Heathcliff, together again. Who better than Stephen, could do justice to the role of Giovanni? Wish I'd seen it!
"Lost. I am lost. My fates have doomed my death.
The more I strive, I love; the more I love,
The less I hope: I see my ruin, certain." (I. ii 150-52)
O the glory
Of two united hearts like hers and mine!
Let poring book-men dream of other worlds,
My world, and all of happiness is here,
And I'd not change it for the best to come:
A life of pleasure is Elysium. (V. iii 11-16)
"A dream, a dream, else in this other world. We should know one another." (V. v 36)
Death, thou art a guest long looked for: I embrace
Thee and thy wounds; O, my last minute comes.
Where'er I go, let me enjoy this grace,
Freely to view my Annabella's face. (V. iv 107-10)
Last updated: 10 October 1999 .
Return to 'Tis I Theatre I TV & Movies I Biography
SB Homepage I Articles I Contact I Audio I Updates I Gallery