Overview

Synopsis

One of the eighteenth-century’s most enduring comedies, She Stoops to Conquer takes a comedic, often farcical, look at the behavior and marital expectations of the upper classes in England at this time. The play centers around the desire of Hardcastle, a wealthy landowner in the country, for his daughter Kate to marry the well-educated Charles Marlow. Together with Marlow’s father, Sir Charles, they arrange for the younger Marlow to visit the Hardcastle’s house and court Kate. However Kate is less than impressed when she finds out that Charles is extremely shy and reserved around ladies, despite his otherwise strong and respectable character. She therefore vows to herself that she could never marry him. Before Charles and his friend, George Hastings, can arrive at the house, they are waylaid by Mr. Hardcastle’s stepson at the local alehouse. A mischievous joker, Tony Lumpkin persuades them that the Hardcastle’s house is, in fact, the local inn. Thus, when Marlow and Hastings arrive, Marlow treats the Hardcastle family with impudence and disrespect, falsely believing them to be servants there. In order to get to the bottom of his true character, Kate disguises herself as a maid and comedy ensues as Marlow makes love to the “maid” and disregards her father.

Meanwhile, George Hastings is thrilled to find his true love, Constance Neville, living at the Hardcastle’s house. Through the scheming of Mrs. Hardcastle, she is due to marry Tony, even though they can't stand each other. Realizing that this is his opportunity to get out of the marriage, Tony helps Constance to retrieve her inheritance and gets his mother out of the way by dumping her in a local horsepond! Finally, as Marlow’s father arrives, all is put right and Charles Marlow is mortified by his behavior. Forgiven by all, the two couples find happiness with each other, and Tony successfully gains his rightful inheritance without an unwanted engagement.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1773
Genres
Comedy, Parody, Satire
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
england, 1770s
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Kate Hardcastle

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Tony Lumpkin

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Charles Marlow

Lead

Male

Spoken

Constance Neville

Supporting

Female

Spoken

George Hastings

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mr. Hardcastle

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mrs. Hardcastle

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Sir Charles Marlow

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Diggory

Featured

Male

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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Key Terms

    Humorously indecent or risque, often found in Shakespearean and Restoration comedy.

    A character who enjoys the pleasures of life, particularly food and social activity, often portrayed as charming and sociable.

    A satirical form of comedy that critiques the manners and affectations of a social class, often with witty dialogue.

    To run away secretly to get married; often a plot device in Romantic and English Renaissance plays.

    A common plot device in which one character is confused for another, often leading to comedic or dramatic consequences. This trope is widely used in English Renaissance and Commedia dell’arte theatre.

    A humorous imitation of a work or genre, often exaggerating its style or content for comic effect. Parody is used in satire and theatrical commentary.

    Works not protected by copyright and available for free use or adaptation. Many classical plays, including Shakespeare's, fall into the public domain.

    A genre or technique that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize human folly or societal flaws. Satire is common in political and literary theatre.

    Characters representing the aristocracy or wealthy elite, often portrayed with distinct costume, accent, and mannerisms.

    A district or division, sometimes referring to the care or guardianship of another, used in early modern plays to suggest duty or protection.

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher