Margaret Cavendish – The Convent of Pleasure
Background
This play was published in 1668 as part of Margaret’s 2nd collection of dramatic works: Plays
Never Before Printed. This play wasn’t produced for the stage in her time, because “it wasn’t
composed according to the ‘Rules of Art’”. It’s a comedy. Some parts of the play are written
by Margaret Cavendish’s husband, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (30 years older).
It’s a closet drama: a literary composition written in the form of a play but intended only for
reading In a private study with a group of people, rather than for stage performance. This
genre was born out of necessity, because the public theatres closes in 1642 because of the
civil wars. They opened again in 1660.
Characters
- Lord Fortunate: a rich man who died.
- Lady Happy: the beautiful daughter of Lord Fortunate.
- Madam Mediator: woman who thinks positively of men.
- Monsieur Take-Pleasure
- Man Dick
- Monsieur Facil
- Monsieur Adviser
- Monsieur Courtly
- Princess
- Lady Amorous
- Lady Vertue
- Mimick
Summary
1.1 3 Gentlemen talk about the funeral of Lord Fortunate and his only daughter, Lady Happy,
who inherited all his riches. They want to woo her, just like many other men are wanting to.
1.2 Lady happy and a servant talk about marriage. The servant says that she should marry
someone who is worthy of her fortune. Lady Happy says that Riches should be for the poor,
Youth for the old, Beauty for the ill-favoured, and Virtue for the vicious, so she should marry a
man with those qualities. Then Madam Mediator enters and hopes Lady Happy won’t actually
marry such a man. Lady Happy says: “And since there is so much folly, vanity and falsehood
in Men, why should Women trouble and vex themselves for their sake…”. Women who
marry men in these cases do it for the sake of opinions. They then have a conversation about
the gods and how to treat them. Madam Mediator says people should pray, praise and offer
to the Gods, however Lady Happy looks at this more critically and thinks the Gods don’t care
too much for things like offer and fasting. She wants to incloister herself with other women
from the World to enjoy pleasure, but not that from men. Men only cause pain to women
instead of pleasure.
2.1 Monsieur Take-Pleasure wants to get the Lady Happy, and Man Dick tells him he looks
good. They speak about women before and after marriage, and how they’re always unhappy.
Monsieur Facil and Monsieur Adviser enter. They are all prepared to woo Lady Happy.
However, Monsieur Courtly enters and tells them about Lady Happy’s incloisterment with 20
other Ladies. Madam Mediator confirms this and explains Lady Happy’s views / opinions.
The men will put up a petition to the state.
2.2 Lady Happy enters with her Ladies and Madam Mediator. Lady Happy explains how she
decorates the interior according to the seasons.
2.3 Lady Amorous and Lady Vertue enter. Lady Amorous says she’s unhappy since she’s
married. Then Madam Mediator enters telling them that a new Foreign Princess arrived and
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Background
This play was published in 1668 as part of Margaret’s 2nd collection of dramatic works: Plays
Never Before Printed. This play wasn’t produced for the stage in her time, because “it wasn’t
composed according to the ‘Rules of Art’”. It’s a comedy. Some parts of the play are written
by Margaret Cavendish’s husband, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (30 years older).
It’s a closet drama: a literary composition written in the form of a play but intended only for
reading In a private study with a group of people, rather than for stage performance. This
genre was born out of necessity, because the public theatres closes in 1642 because of the
civil wars. They opened again in 1660.
Characters
- Lord Fortunate: a rich man who died.
- Lady Happy: the beautiful daughter of Lord Fortunate.
- Madam Mediator: woman who thinks positively of men.
- Monsieur Take-Pleasure
- Man Dick
- Monsieur Facil
- Monsieur Adviser
- Monsieur Courtly
- Princess
- Lady Amorous
- Lady Vertue
- Mimick
Summary
1.1 3 Gentlemen talk about the funeral of Lord Fortunate and his only daughter, Lady Happy,
who inherited all his riches. They want to woo her, just like many other men are wanting to.
1.2 Lady happy and a servant talk about marriage. The servant says that she should marry
someone who is worthy of her fortune. Lady Happy says that Riches should be for the poor,
Youth for the old, Beauty for the ill-favoured, and Virtue for the vicious, so she should marry a
man with those qualities. Then Madam Mediator enters and hopes Lady Happy won’t actually
marry such a man. Lady Happy says: “And since there is so much folly, vanity and falsehood
in Men, why should Women trouble and vex themselves for their sake…”. Women who
marry men in these cases do it for the sake of opinions. They then have a conversation about
the gods and how to treat them. Madam Mediator says people should pray, praise and offer
to the Gods, however Lady Happy looks at this more critically and thinks the Gods don’t care
too much for things like offer and fasting. She wants to incloister herself with other women
from the World to enjoy pleasure, but not that from men. Men only cause pain to women
instead of pleasure.
2.1 Monsieur Take-Pleasure wants to get the Lady Happy, and Man Dick tells him he looks
good. They speak about women before and after marriage, and how they’re always unhappy.
Monsieur Facil and Monsieur Adviser enter. They are all prepared to woo Lady Happy.
However, Monsieur Courtly enters and tells them about Lady Happy’s incloisterment with 20
other Ladies. Madam Mediator confirms this and explains Lady Happy’s views / opinions.
The men will put up a petition to the state.
2.2 Lady Happy enters with her Ladies and Madam Mediator. Lady Happy explains how she
decorates the interior according to the seasons.
2.3 Lady Amorous and Lady Vertue enter. Lady Amorous says she’s unhappy since she’s
married. Then Madam Mediator enters telling them that a new Foreign Princess arrived and
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