'Cupid's Whirligig' Summary

Cupid's Whirligig by Edward Sharpham is a city comedy set in London about a husband who suspects his wife of having affairs with other men and is consumed with irrational jealousy. It was first published in quarto in 1607, entered in the Stationer's Register with the name "A Comedie called Cupids Whirlegigge." It was performed that year by the Children of the King's Revels in the Whitefriars Theatre (a private theatre) where Ben Jonson's Epicene was also said to have been performed.

Story:

The play follows the misadventures of Sir Timothy Troublesome, a knight who is convinced that his wife, Lady Troublesome, is cheating on him. He becomes so consumed with jealousy that he decides to "geld" himself in order to prove that any children Lady Troublesome bears are not his.

However, Sir Timothy's plans are thwarted by his faithful servant, Wages, who hatches a plot to match each man with his proper wife. Wages disguises a Welshman named Nucome as a lady and introduces him to Sir Timothy as a possible mistress. Sir Timothy is immediately smitten with Nucome, but he is unaware that he is actually a man.

Meanwhile, Cupid descends from the heavens to cast a love spell on the citizens of London. As a result, everyone falls in love with the wrong person, leading to a series of hilarious and chaotic situations. For example, a young man named Lord Nonsuch falls in love with Lady Troublesome, even though she is married. And a servant named Correction falls in love with Lady Troublesome's kinswoman, Peg.

In the end, Wages' plot succeeds and everyone is paired off with their proper mate. Sir Timothy learns that his wife is faithful to him, and he and Lady Troublesome are reconciled. Lord Nonsuch and Peg fall in love, and Correction and Lady Troublesome's kinswoman are also married.

Essence and Spirit

Cupid's Whirligig is a witty and satirical play that explores the themes of love, jealousy, and cuckoldry. It is also a celebration of the power of love to bring people together, even when they least expect it.

Sharpham's play is full of memorable characters and hilarious situations. Sir Timothy is a ridiculous figure, but he is also sympathetic. He is a man who is deeply in love with his wife, but he is also consumed with insecurity. Lady Troublesome is a strong and independent woman who is able to stand up to her husband's jealousy. Wages is a clever and resourceful servant who is always one step ahead of his master.

The play's love spell is a device that Sharpham uses to explore the different ways in which people can fall in love. He shows that love can be irrational and uncontrollable, but he also shows that it can be a powerful force for good.

Conclusion

Cupid's Whirligig is a timeless comedy that is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. It is a play that is full of wit, satire, and romance. Sharpham's play is a reminder that love is a complex and mysterious emotion, but it is also a powerful force that can bring people together.