The Two Noble Kinsmen · Chapter
Scene II explained
The Doctor advises the Wooer to cure the Gaoler's Daughter's madness by pretending to be Palamon and indulging her fantasies, including physical intimacy.
What happens
The Doctor advises the Wooer to cure the Gaoler's Daughter's madness by pretending to be Palamon and indulging her fantasies, including physical intimacy. The Daughter, believing the Wooer is Palamon, speaks wildly of a magical horse and plans to marry him at the world's end. The scene ends with a Messenger announcing a great sight in the field, drawing the Gaoler and Doctor away.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Madness
The Daughter's madness is intertwined with her love for Palamon, leading to delusions and a fabricated romance with the Wooer.
Nature and Artifice
The Wooer's artificial identity as Palamon is used to manipulate the Daughter's natural affections, blurring the line between reality and deception.
Characters to notice
- Doctor
Advises the Wooer on curing the Daughter's madness through deception and physical intimacy, dismissing concerns about honesty.
- Gaoler
Reluctantly agrees to the Doctor's plan but expresses concern about honesty; leaves to see the sight in the field.
- Wooer
Disguised as Palamon, he follows the Doctor's advice, engages with the Daughter's fantasies, and agrees to marry and sleep with her.
- Daughter
Mistakes the Wooer for Palamon, speaks of a fantastical horse, and plans a wedding at the world's end, showing her madness.
- Messenger
Enters briefly to announce a noble sight in the field, prompting the Gaoler and Doctor to leave.
Key passages
“Cure her first this way; then, if she'll be honest, She has the path before her.”
Treat her madness first with this method; afterward, she can choose to be virtuous.
The Doctor prioritizes curing the Daughter's madness over moral concerns.
“We shall have many children.—Lord, how y'are grown! My Palamon I hope will grow, too, finely, Now he's at liberty: alas, poor chicken, He was kept down with hard meat and ill lodging; But I'll kiss him up again.”
We'll have many children. Oh, how you've grown! I hope my Palamon will also grow well now that he's free; poor thing, he was held back by poor food and bad living conditions, but I'll revive him with kisses.
The Daughter's rambling speech reveals her delusional state and maternal concern for Palamon.