(1) The romantic lead, and
(2) Her friend and confidante.
A solitary female (Angelica in Love for Love) is a rarity. Ruth
and Arbella (Committee), Marina and Lucia (Citizen), Isabella
and Teresia (Squire), Harriet and Emilia (Man of Mode),
Miranda and Isabinda (Busie Body), Portia and Camilla (Adventures).
The Country Wife is unusual, but even there Alithea and Margery
are closely associated.
(3) The scheming maid. Betty
Trickmore (Citizen), Lucy (Country Wife), Patch and Scentwell
(Busie Body).
(4) The heavy mother or strict
governess. Mrs. Day (Committee), Ruth (Squire), Mrs. Woodvil
(Man of Mode)--the last an ineffectual specimen of the type.
(5) The mistress. Lucia (Squire),
Bellinda (Man of Mode).
(6) The cast mistress. Mrs.
Termagant (Squire), Mrs. Loveit (Man of Mode).
(7) The whore. Mrs. Hackum
et al. (Squire), Moll (mentioned in Man of Mode).
(8) The amorous, usually
older woman. Lady Fidget et al. (Country Wife), Mrs. Foresight
(Love for Love), Lady Cockwood (She wou'd), Lady Laycock
(The Amorous Widow). Often this character is ludicrously conceited,
almost a female fop, for example Lady Fancyfull in The Provok'd Wife.
(9) The ingenue. Margery
Pinchwife (Country Wife), Prue (Love for Love).
(10) The abused wife. Amanda
in Love's Last Shift, Lady Brute in The Provok'd Wife,
Mrs. Sullen in The Beaux Stratagem, Mrs. Friendall in The
Wives Excuse.
Hume, Robert
D. The Development of English Drama in the Late 17th Century. New
York: Oxford, 1976.
