'Family of Love' Summary

The play unfolds with Gerardine, a young man in love with Maria, feigning a departure for a sea voyage. He hides within a trunk, surprising Maria when she opens it, revealing his secret return. Meanwhile, Glister, Maria's uncle, is caught in his own affair with the wife of Purge, an apothecary. The play also features two dim-witted gallants, Gudgeon and Lipsalve, who are driven by their desires for women and the allure of the secretive Familia Caritatis meetings. Amidst the chaos, Gerardine stages a mock trial, utilizing the antics of the characters to expose their flaws and deliver a satirical critique of social and religious norms. Through wit and humor, the playwright challenges the audience to contemplate the complexities of love, morality, and the hypocrisy within society.