She Stoops to Conquer

Act One

The play opens at the country home of the Hardcastles. Mrs. Hardcastle is moaning that she and her husband never leave the countryside to go to the bright, new lights of the city, but Hardcastle merely notes that he prefers everything old, including his wife. In response, Mrs. Hardcastle argues that she was a young woman when she had her son, Tony, with her first husband and he is only turning 21. Hardcastle proceeds to complain about Tony’s immaturity and love of pranks, just as Tony enters on his way to the inn. His mother follows him off, begging him to stay and spend some time with them. Hardcastle’s daughter Katecomes in next, wearing fashionable clothing of the time. She reminds her disapproving father that they have a deal: she wears what she likes in the morning, but changes into the old-fashioned style he prefers in the evening. Hardcastle reveals that his friend Sir Charles’s son, Marlow, is coming to visit them soon. He hopes Marlow and Kate will form an attachment