She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith.pptx

PPT on She Stoops to Conquer

1. She stoops to conquer Oliver goldsmith

2. S HE STOOPS TO CONQUER

3. introduction ‘ ’SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER ’’ is one of the best plays to be written during the restoration era. Goldsmith’s she stoops to conquer is still part of the comic play after more than 200 years, providing a combination of good-humoured comedy and satire on social affections. The play was first performed at Convent Garden Theatre in London on March 15,1773 . It’s known for broad humour, innocent wit, and frank good nature. It was well received by the audience. This comic masterpiece mocked the simple morality of sentimental comedies. It has become one of the most popular comedies in English Literary History.

4. Set in rural England, "She Stoops to Conquer" follows the adventures of young Charles Marlow and his friend George Hastings as they journey to the Hardcastle residence, intending to meet Kate Hardcastle, Charles's prospective bride. However, due to a series of misunderstandings, Marlow mistakes the Hardcastle home for an inn, and his behavior towards Kate and her family is notably different from his usual aristocratic manner. The title "She Stoops to Conquer" refers to Kate's ingenious plan to win over Marlow's affections by pretending to be a barmaid and adopting a more humble demeanor.

5. T hrough this deception, Kate hopes to overcome Marlow's shyness and reluctance to court women of higher social status. Goldsmith's play is renowned for its sharp wit and comedic situations, which arise from the misunderstandings and miscommunications between the characters. The play satirizes various aspects of 18th-century society, including class distinctions, social pretensions, and the complexities of courtship and marriage. In addition to its comic elements, "She Stoops to Conquer" also contains themes of love, identity, and the contrast between appearance and reality. The play's enduring popularity lies in its timeless humor, lively characters, and universal themes, which continue to resonate with audiences centuries after its initial performance.

6. Main title The Main title of the play which is SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER , refers the trick of its heroine to conquer her lover by, stooping to the play the role of a BARMAID ,after the role of a poor relation of the Hardcastle's family.

7. ‘’SHE’’ in the tittle refers to the heroine, KATE who is a daughter of a rich man from the upper-middle class. Here she is stooping by playing the role of the barmaid. Actually stoops is the main action of the play is, ‘ ’the heroine stoops to win the hero over emotionally and to gain his heart and his love to make him love her’’.

8. Sub-title The subtitle which is the ‘’THE MISTAKES OF A NIGHT’’ refers to the several mistakes that Marlow committed during the course of a single night starts from early afternoon to midnight.

9. HIS MISTAKES He mistakes Kate is to be a barmaid, Also mistakes her to be a poor relation to the family, The House itself, in which he is going to spend one night, to be an inn. The owner of the house, Mr. Hardcastle to be an inn-keeper.

10. C HARACTERS

11. Characters "She Stoops to Conquer" features a colorful cast of characters, each contributing to the play's humor, wit, and social commentary. Kate Hardcastle: The intelligent and spirited daughter of Mr. Hardcastle. Kate is the object of Charles Marlow's affections and is determined to win his heart despite his initial shyness. Charles Marlow: The young gentleman who is set to meet Kate Hardcastle with the intention of courtship. Marlow is well-bred but awkward and shy around women of his own class. Tony Lumpkin: The mischievous stepson of Mrs. Hardcastle. Tony is a prankster and enjoys causing trouble for his family and visitors. He plays a significant role in the plot's various misunderstandings. Mr. Hardcastle: Kate's father and the owner of the Hardcastle estate. Mr. Hardcastle is a hospitable but somewhat old-fashioned country squire who is perplexed by Marlow's behavior. Mrs. Hardcastle: Tony's mother and Mr. Hardcastle's second wife. Mrs. Hardcastle is vain, materialistic, and often at odds with her stepdaughter Kate. George Hastings: Charles Marlow's friend and fellow suitor. Hastings is a charming and resourceful young man who assists Marlow in his romantic pursuits. Miss Constance Neville: A young lady who is under Mrs. Hardcastle's guardianship. Constance is secretly in love with Hastings and schemes to escape Mrs. Hardcastle's control. Diggory: A servant at the Hardcastle residence. Diggory is a comic character who adds to the play's humor with his rustic mannerisms and malapropisms.

12. Prologue The prologue consists of a single monologue, delivered by an actor separate from the main cast. He is dressed in black clothing and holds a handkerchief to his eyes. He begins by saying that he is in mourning because the “Comic muse,” who has long been indisposed, is now dying. Her death will affect him greatly, he says, as he is an actor who makes his living performing in comic plays. He then proceeds to say that there is one last hope in the tragic situation: that of the self-styled doctor (Oliver Goldsmith) who has prepared five draughts (the play itself, composed of five acts) to cure the muse and appease the audience. Finally, the actor ends with saying that if the cure is effective, then the doctor will be given his “degree.” If it isn’t, however, he will “receive no fee” and be denounced as a fraud.

13. Act 1, Scene 1 Act 1 begins inside the Hardcastle manor. Mr. Hardcastle and Mrs. Hardcastle enter. The two argue about visiting town, to which Mrs. Hardcastle is inclined. Mr. Hardcastle, however, is against it. The two then talk about Tony, Mrs. Hardcastle’s son from her first marriage. Mr. Hardcastle berates Mrs. Hardcastle for raising Tony to be idle and ill-behaved. Mrs. Hardcastle tries to defend Tony, pointing out that he never had an education, as he is too sickly for school. Mr. Hardcastle then replies that the only schools Tony is willing to go to are the alehouse and the stables. Tony then enters.

14. Mrs. Hardcastle greets Tony affectionately and asks where he is off to. Tony replies that he is going to The Three Pigeons, an alehouse. Mrs. Hardcastle tries to persuade Tony not to go, but he brushes off his mother’s entreaties. Tony and Mrs. Hardcastle exit. Miss Kate Hardcastle enters. She and Mr. Hardcastle talk about how the gentleman Mr. Hardcastle has chosen to be her suitor will be arriving soon. Mr. Hardcastle discloses that the gentleman is Charles Marlow, the son of Sir Charles Marlow, an old friend he holds in high esteem. He proceeds to list down the younger Marlow’s virtues: he is scholarly, generous, and very handsome. Kate is pleased at this. But she is less pleased when Mr. Hardcastle mentions that he is reserved as well, because she is suspicious of modesty. Mr. Hardcastle then announces that he must prepare his household and exits. Miss Constance Neville enters.

15. Constance asks Kate why she looks troubled, to which the latter replies that Marlow is to be her suitor. Constance then informs Kate that her admirer, Mr. George Hastings, is a close acquaintance of Marlow’s. The two then discuss how Mrs. Hardcastle is bent on marrying Constance off to Tony. Kate remarks that Mrs. Hardcastle wants to secure Constance’s small fortune, which consists of jewels. It is then revealed that Constance and Tony share a mutual hatred for each other but that Constance feigns affection for him in order to appease Mrs. Hardcastle. The afternoon bell rings. Kate and Constance exit.

16. Scene 2 The setting shifts to the interior of an alehouse. Tony, surrounded by his friends, sings a song he has composed. The landlord then enters, informing Tony that two foreigners are asking for directions to Mr. Hardcastle’s estate. Tony suspects one of them is the suitor his sister is expecting. Marlow and Hastings enter. Without giving away his identity, Tony informs the two that Mr. Hardcastle’s estate is a long way off and that it would be best if they stopped for the night before continuing with their journey. He then directs them to a nearby inn. This is pure deception on Tony’s part, because the “inn” he directs them to is actually the Hardcastle manor itself. However, Marlow and Hastings believe Tony and proceed to Hardcastle manor.

17. Act 2 Act 2 takes place inside the Hardcastle manor. Mr. Hardcastle enters, followed by a few servants. He reminds them to be on their best behavior for Marlow’s visit. He hears a coach arriving and exits to receive Marlow and his entourage. The servants exit as well. Marlow and Hastings, led by a servant, enter. Marlow remarks that the house is a fine-looking place, to which Hastings adds that it is common for mansions to be converted into inns after the master falls to misfortune. The two then talk about Marlow’s travels and how, for all his worldly experience, he has yet to learn about women. Marlow confesses that he is comfortable with women of low station but falters in the presence of “modest” women. He reveals that he plans to break off his engagement with Kate. Mr. Hardcastle then enters.

18. Under the impression that Mr. Hardcastle is an innkeeper, Marlow and Hastings dismiss Mr. Hardcastle’s attempts at conversation and bluntly ask for refreshments. Mr. Hardcastle is appalled at the impudence of the two young men, and in turn Marlow and Hastings are annoyed at how overbearing Mr. Hardcastle is for an innkeeper. The two then ask for the “bill of fare”—that is, the menu for supper—and make fun of how upscale and elaborate the dishes listed are. Mr. Hardcastle takes offense at this but hides his reaction and exits to ready their supper. Marlow exits as well. Constance enters. She and Hastings are surprised yet delighted to see each other. Hastings then learns from Constance that they are not at an inn but at the Hardcastle manor itself. Constance surmises that they must have been misled by the mischievous Tony. Hastings then implores for Constance to keep this information from Marlow, who will surely flee from embarrassment if he learns of their blunder. Marlow then enters.

19. Hastings successfully convinces Marlow that, out of pure coincidence, Constance and Kate just happen to be staying at the inn as well. Kate then enters. Hastings introduces Kate and Marlow to each other, and the latter immediately finds himself flustered and unable to speak clearly. Nevertheless, the two try to make conversation. Marlow apologizes for not having had much experience with women, but Kate assures him that she does not find his company tiresome. Their interaction ends on an awkward note, as Marlow finds an excuse to cut it short. The two exit. Tony and Constance enter. Mrs. Hardcastle and Hastings follow, chatting about the latest trends from town. Hastings subtly makes fun of Mrs. Hardcastle’s provincial sensibilities and lack of taste. She does not pick up on his criticisms and is under the impression that Hastings dotes on her. Mrs. Hardcastle then calls for Tony and Constance. She intends to introduce them to Hastings, not knowing that Constance and Hastings are lovers. Tony, however, refuses to obey his mother, and the two engage in a heated argument, after which Hastings offers to talk some sense into Tony. Mrs. Hastings concedes and exits with Constance.

20. After questioning Tony and making sure he does not have feelings for Constance, Hastings confesses that he is Constance’s lover and that they plan to elope. Tony is delighted by the prospect of seeing Constance gone and so vows to help Hastings with his plan.

21. Act 3 Act 3 takes place inside the Hardcastle manor. Mr. Hardcastle enters and remarks to himself that Marlow is far from the well-mannered young man his father makes him out to be. Kate enters. The two talk of Marlow, and Mr. Hardcastle expresses his displeasure at the young man’s impudence. Kate disagrees with him, however, and claims that Marlow possesses qualities befitting a husband. The two agree that one of them must be mistaken, with Kate vowing to prove Mr. Hardcastle wrong. They exit. Tony enters, carrying with him an assortment of jewelry: it is Constance’s inheritance. He is followed by Hastings, who informs him that he and Constance will run off in a short while. Tony promptly hands him the jewels, telling him he had stolen it from his mother’s drawers. Hastings is surprised at this and informs Tony that Constance is trying to procure the very same jewels as of the moment. Tony assures him that he’ll take care of Mrs. Hardcastle when she finds out the jewels are missing. Hastings then exits.

22. Kate enters in her newly donned modest attire, followed by a maid. She asks the maid if she can pass as a common bar-maid. The maid answers affirmatively and then asks her why she would want to do such a thing. Kate replies that she means to deceive Marlow in order to catch him off his guard. The maid exits. Marlow enters. Kate places herself before him, asking if he called for a maid. Marlow, successfully deceived, thinks Kate is a common bar-maid and readily makes conversation. He then compliments her looks and even attempts to kiss her. Kate points out that he is being so forward with her when, moments ago, he was so reserved around “Miss Hardcastle.” Marlow explains that, underneath it all, he is actually quite merry and popular with women, such as those found in the “Ladies’ Club” in town. The two flirt some more, leading Marlow to seize Kate’s hand. He immediately drops her hand and exits, however, when he sees Mr. Hardcastle approaching. Mr. Hardcastle enters, enraged at what he has seen. Kate, however, asserts that Marlow has “only the faults that will pass off with time, and the virtues that will improve with age.” She asks that he give her until nightfall to prove that Marlow is, despite his impudence, a man of honor. Mr. Hardcastle gives her but an hour. The two exit.

23. Act 4 Act 4 takes place inside the Hardcastle manor. Hastings and Constance enter. Hastings informs Constance that Sir Charles Marlow, Marlow’s father, will arrive at the estate soon and that they must leave before he does, so they are not found out. Constance asks about the jewels, and Hastings assures her that he has given the jewels to Marlow for safekeeping. Hastings then announces that he will ready the horses and send a letter when it is time to leave. The two exit. Marlow enters, followed by a servant. Through their conversation, it is revealed that Marlow has entrusted the casket of jewels to the servant, intending them to be placed in the temporary care of the “landlady,” Mrs. Hardcastle. The servant exits. Hastings enters. Hastings discovers that Marlow has unwittingly returned Constance’s jewels to Mrs. Hardcastle. He is dismayed but does not let Marlow see it. He exits. Mr. Hardcastle enters.

24. Mr. Hardcastle, trying to temper his anger, informs Marlow that the servants he came with are acting irresponsibly and are currently inebriated. Marlow, failing to see the problem, dismisses Mr. Hardcastle’s concern. Losing his temper, Mr. Hardcastle demands that Marlow and his entourage leave the premises immediately. Marlow, insulted, asks that Mr. Hardcastle bring him his bill. Mr. Hardcastle ignores this and goes on to say that the letter he received from Sir Charles Marlow made no mention of Marlow’s impudence. Mr. Hardcastle then exits, leaving Marlow confused at his comment. Kate enters, still dressed like a maid. Marlow asks her what her exact position is at the inn, and Kate corrects him, saying that he is at the Hardcastle manor, not a country inn. Having discovered the truth, Marlow is immediately mortified at how he had been treating Mr. Hardcastle. He also apologizes to Kate, whom he still believes to be a maid, for his foolishness and prepares to leave. Kate, pretending to cry, asks what it is she may have done to make him want to leave. Marlow, touched by Kate’s reaction, reveals that he has fallen for her, but he says that their difference in station prevents him from legitimizing their connection. He tells her that he must appease his father but that if it were solely up to him, they would be together. Pained, he then exits. Kate exits as well.

25. T ony and Constance enter and talk about how Mrs. Hardcastle is in possession of the jewels once more. Mrs. Hardcastle then enters, and the two immediately start feigning affection for each other. After a short while, a servant hands Tony a sealed letter, which turns out to be from Hastings. Despite strong hints from Constance, Tony does not realize who the sender is and hands over the letter to Mrs. Hardcastle, because he cannot make out the penmanship. Upon reading the letter, Mrs. Hardcastle learns of Hastings and Constance’s plans to elope and vows to thwart them. She exits. Constance berates Tony for his blunder. Hasting then enters and accuses Tony of betrayal. Tony, however, insists that it is Hastings and Constance’s scrupulous planning that has undone them. Marlow then enters, accusing them all of making a fool out of him by tricking him into thinking that the Hardcastle manor was an inn. It is then revealed to Marlow that Tony is responsible for the whole deception, and the three take turns insulting Tony. Finally, Constance is called on by Mrs. Hardcastle, and she exits in distress. In an aside, Tony promises to help Hastings and Constance once more.

26. Act 5, Scene 1 Act 5 begins inside the Hardcastle manor. Hastings enters, followed by a servant. The servant confirms that Constance and Mrs. Hardcastle have driven off and that Sir Charles Marlow has arrived on the premises. Hastings then expresses hopelessness over his situation. The two exit. Sir Charles and Mr. Hardcastle enter, joking about Marlow’s mistake good-naturedly. They then express their excitement over the imminent union of their families. Marlow enters. He extends an apology to Mr. Hardcastle for his behavior, which the latter accepts readily. Mr. Hardcastle then teases him about his feelings for Kate, to which Marlow reacts by denying that he and Kate ever shared any sort of connection or intimacy. This confuses Mr. Hardcastle, because he saw Marlow and Kate (whom Marlow thought was a maid) flirting only a few hours earlier. Mr. Hardcastle presses Marlow, but the latter insists that he and Kate had but one meeting, which was formal and brief. Marlow exits. Kate enters. Sir Charles Marlow and Mr. Hardcastle immediately ask her about Marlow’s advances towards her. Kate affirms that she and Marlow have had several meetings and that he has already professed his love for her. This confounds Sir Charles and Mr. Hardcastle, as they had just heard Marlow deny anything of the sort. Kate assures them that if they hide behind the nearby screen, they will hear Marlow confess his feelings for her.

27. Act 5, Scene 2 Scene 2 takes place at the back of the Hardcastle garden. Hasting enters, muttering to himself that Tony is late for their meeting. Tony enters. Hastings asks him where Constance and Mrs. Hardcastle are, as Tony is their travelling companion. Tony reveals to him that he has deceived the two. Constance and Mrs. Hardcastle have been led to believe that they are travelling forward when they have actually been travelling around and back to the manor. At present, Tony says, the two believe that they are forty miles from the estate when they are really at a horse-pond in the bottom of the garden. Hastings thanks Tony for his help and exits. Mrs. Hardcastle enters. Tony scares her by saying that they are at Crackskull Common, one of the most dangerous spots in the country. Seeing Mr. Hardcastle approaching, he then pretends he senses imminent danger and bids Mrs. Hardcastle to hide behind a tree. Mr. Hardcastle enters. Mr. Hardcastle questions Tony about Mrs. Hardcastle’s journey, and Tony responds with glib lies. Mr. Hardcastle becomes suspicious of him, and the two have a heated altercation. Sensing that something is wrong, Mrs. Hardcastle jumps up from her hiding place and is surprised to see her husband wrestling with Tony. The Hardcastles learn that Tony had deceived Mrs. Hardcastle and that she and Constance had been at their estate all along. Mrs. Hardcastle chases Tony in a rage. The three exit. Hastings and Constance enter. Hastings begs Constance to leave with him at once. Constance, however, is adamant about claiming her inheritance. Hastings concedes.

28. Act 5, Scene 3 The scene shifts again to the interior of the Hardcastle house. As Kate and young Marlow discuss their feelings for one another, their fathers, concealed behind a screen, observe them. The two older men soon divulge their presence, and Kate's true identity is revealed. George Hastings and Constance Neville enter to apologize for their elopement plan. Hardcastle also discloses that because Tony Lumpkin really is "of age"—a fact his mother and stepfather hid from him—he can formally renounce any romantic interest in Constance and claim his own inheritance. The play thus ends with the prospect of independence for one character and of two marriages: Constance Neville to George Hastings and Kate Hardcastle to Charles Marlow. The "mistakes of a night," the play's subtitle, have all been corrected.

29. Epilogues 1 and 2 The first epilogue is delivered by Kate Hardcastle. It is an imagined account of the life of the bar-maid she was pretending to be, told in “five acts”. The first act finds the bar-maid timidly hoping to get hired somewhere. The second act finds the bar-maid presiding over a country inn, now livelier and more assertive. The third act finds the bar-maid in town, engaging with friends and lovers. The fourth act finds her married to a squire, aspiring to be wiser and more sophisticated. Finally, the fifth act finds her grown old, spending her days contentedly playing cards. The second epilogue is delivered by the actor playing Tony Lumpkin. He describes what he plans to do now that he is free from his engagement with Constance. He wishes to move to town and marry Bet Bouncer. He also plans to spend his inheritance on not only cheap pleasures but also artworks, if only to prove to the landed gentry that he is as capable of sophistication as them.

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