Vortigern Studies Index

home l personae l act 1 l act 2 l act 3 l act 4 l act 5
scene 1 l dumb show 2 l chorus 3 l scene 2 l scene 3

Dumb show 2

Hoboys.[1] Dumb show. Enter two villains, to them Vortiger seeming to solicit them, gives them gold, then swears them. Exit Vortiger. Enter to them Constantius in private meditation; they rudely come to him, strike down his book[2] and draw their swords upon him. He fairly spreads his arms and yields to their furies, at which they seem to be overcome with pity, but looking on the gold kill him as he turns his back and hurry away his body. Enter Vortiger, Devonshire, Stafford in private conference; to them enter the murderers presenting the head to Vortiger. He seems to express much sorrow, and before the astonished lords makes officers lay hold on 'em, who offering to come towards Vortiger are commanded to be hurried away as to execution. Then the lords, all seeming respect, crown Vortiger; then bring in Castiza, who seems to be brought in unwillingly [by] Devonshire and Stafford who crown her and then give her to Vortiger, she going forth with him with a kind of constrain'd consent. Then enter Aurelius and Uther the two brothers who much astonished seem to fly for their safety.

NOTES

^[1] Hoboys: oboes
^[2] book: Bromham and Bruzzi note the political symbolism behind the books in this play. Constantius's book and the one Castiza carries represent the Bible; Hengist's book, the one Vortiger forces upon Castiza ("Lady, you that delight in virgins' stories..."), represents Catholic writings, especially those dealing with the doctrine of the Virgin Mary.

home l personae l act 1 l act 2 l act 3 l act 4 l act 5
scene 1 l dumb show 2 l chorus 3 l scene 2 l scene 3

l