
Which is the Man?
'Which is the Man?' Summary
"Which is the Man?" is a play written by Hannah Cowley in the late 18th century. Set in England, the story revolves around the lively and humorous world of mistaken identities, love triangles, and gender roles.
The play introduces two main characters, Sir George Courtly and his nephew Charles Courtly. Sir George, an aging and lecherous nobleman, is infatuated with a young woman named Letitia Hardy. However, Letitia is in love with Charles, who, disguised as his own fictional sister, has been corresponding with Letitia under the pseudonym "Mr. Bellamy."
As the plot unfolds, Letitia's father, Sir William Hardy, invites Sir George and his nephew to his country estate. The arrival of Charles, disguised as "Mr. Bellamy," creates confusion and misunderstandings. Letitia, unaware of Charles's true identity, continues to fall for the fictional persona, Mr. Bellamy. Meanwhile, Sir George, believing Charles to be his nephew's sister, becomes enamored with her.
The play reaches its climax when Charles reveals his true identity to Letitia, shocking her and exposing the web of deceit. Sir George, realizing his mistake, also learns the truth about Charles's disguise. Amidst the chaos, the characters confront their mistaken assumptions and face the consequences of their actions.
"Which is the Man?" explores themes of love, deception, and societal expectations. Cowley uses humor and wit to challenge traditional gender roles and satirize the hypocrisy of the upper class. The play also touches on the fragility of appearances and the transformative power of honesty.
With its comedic elements and social commentary, Cowley's work highlights the complexities of human relationships and the absurdity of societal conventions. Through the characters' journeys, the play ultimately asks the audience to reflect on the nature of identity and the importance of authenticity in a world governed by appearances.
Overall, "Which is the Man?" offers an entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of love, mistaken identities, and the masks people wear to navigate society's expectations.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1783Genre/Category
Tags/Keywords
Authors

Hannah Cowley
England
Hannah Cowley was an English playwright and poet. Although Cowley's plays and poetry did not enjoy wide popularity after the 19th century, critic Melinda Finberg rates her as "one of the foremost play...
Books by Hannah CowleyDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

Trail of the Hawk: a Comedy of the Seriousness of Life by Sinclair Lewis
Trail of the Hawk, originally published in 1922, tells the story of Carl Ericson, nicknamed 'The Hawk,' a young man growing up in early 20th century A...

Maarten Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
Martin Chuzzlewit is a young man caught between his desire for love and his pursuit of a family inheritance. He finds himself tangled in a web of dece...

Parlor Matches by Walter Ben Hare
Parlor Matches revolves around Mrs. Seltoon, a matchmaking matriarch determined to find suitable partners for her daughters and ward, Gail. When she s...

Schoolmistress by Arthur Wing Pinero
The Schoolmistress is a Victorian farce by Arthur Wing Pinero, written in 1886. The play centers on Miss Caroline Dyott, the principal of a girls' sc...

Fortune Hunter: A Novel of New York Society by Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie
Fortune Hunter is an entertaining and satirical novel that follows the lives of several wealthy and fashionable New Yorkers. The story revolves around...

Our American Cousin by Tom Taylor
Our American Cousin is a three-act farce by English playwright Tom Taylor, first staged in 1858. The play centers on Asa Trenchard, a naive and somewh...

Tinker's Wedding by John Millington Synge
The Tinker's Wedding is a play by J. M. Synge that portrays the comical and chaotic journey of a tinker named Michael Byrne and his attempts to marry...

The Follies of a Day; OR, The Marriage of Figaro (English) by Pierre Beaumarchais
The story begins with a simple love triangle in which a Spanish count has fallen in love with a girl called Rosine. He disguises himself to ensure tha...

Bride and Groom by Walter Ben Hare
Dr. Bancroft, a young physician struggling to establish his practice, finds himself in a predicament when his fiancée is set to arrive for a visit. To...

Porcelain and Pink by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Porcelain and Pink" is a comic one-act play from the 1922 short story collection Tales of the Jazz Age. The plot involves a young woman in a bathtub...
Reviews for Which is the Man?
No reviews posted or approved, yet...