The Honest Whore

The Honest Whore, Part 1 was entered into the Stationers' Register on 9 November 1604; the first quarto was published later the same year, printed by Valentine Simmes for the bookseller John Hodges.

[2] The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography reports, under Thomas Middleton, that Part I was performed outside at the Fortune Theatre by Prince Henry's Men.

Matteo scoffs at his friend's oath and predicts that Hippolito will forget about Infelice and visit a brothel within the next ten days.

He sends a porter to fetch his sister, Viola, who has recently married Candido, a wealthy (and very patient) linen-draper.

Fustigo begs her to give him some money and Viola agrees to help him out on condition that he do a service for her in return.

With this goal in mind, she instructs Fustigo to pose as a "wide-mouthed swaggerer" and attempt to annoy Candido by stealing things, kissing Viola, etc.

The Duke tells her that she fell sick for several days after a messenger announced news of Hippolito's death.

Candido explains that it is simply prudent business practice to satisfy a customer's demands—even if it means taking a loss every once in a while.

Speaking aside, Fluello tells Castruccio that he will steal an expensive wine beaker in order to annoy Candido.

He orders his apprentice to quietly fetch the constable, but warns him not to make any accusations because the "gentlemen" were likely only joking, and he does not want to get them in any trouble.

She notices that he has left his sword behind, grabs it, and prepares to stab herself, but stops when Hippolito re-enters and calls her a "madwoman."

In an interesting metatheatrical allusion, Candido warns Fustigo that he shouldn't behave so uproariously in a place where so many people can observe his actions.

Without showing the slightest hint of anger, Candido orders the apprentices to fetch the fabric Fustigo has demanded.

George and the apprentices pretend to assist Fustigo, but secretly whisper threats and insults in his ear.

Candido warns him to use the word "coz" with greater care in the future and sends him to a surgeon to have his wounds treated.

Rather than getting angry at his wife, Candido instructs George to cut holes in a piece of carpet so it can be worn as a poncho.

Mistress Fingerlock tells her that a very fine, gentlemanly customer has come to her brothel—a business opportunity that Bellafront would be foolish to pass up.

Matteo, Castruccio, Fluello and Pioratto enter and scold her for failing to show up for the dinner date they arranged in Scene Six.

Left alone in the room, Bellafront makes plans to leave the city (Milan) and return to her father's home.

The Doctor tells him that Infelice knows all, and has already made arrangements to meet him on the following morning at Bethlem Monastery, where the couple will be married by a priest named Father Anselmo.

As she converses with George, it is revealed that Candido has been imprisoned in Bethlem and Viola now regrets her role in putting him there.

The Duke agrees to set Candido free, but before he can sign the release warrant, Castruccio enters and announces Infelice's impending marriage at Bethlem.

He curses Castruccio for betraying Hippolito and makes plans to warn the couple of the Duke's impending arrival.

Scene 15: Bethlem Monastery Father Anselmo tells Hippolito and Infelice that he will perform their wedding ceremony at sunset.

Father Anselmo introduces the "First Madman," an old man wrapped in a net who imagines he is drowning at sea.

The First Madman begins by babbling witty absurdities, but eventually becomes upset and is escorted offstage by a servant.

Part 2 was not published, however, till 1630, in a quarto printed by Elizabeth Allde[4] for the bookseller Nathaniel Butter.

In this second part, Hippolito has conceived a violent lust for Bellafront, whose husband has (perhaps not surprisingly) returned to the life of a wastrel.

William Dunlap substantially borrowed from this play when writing The Italian Father, which was first performed in New York in 1799.

"[5] The 1830 play The Deformed by Richard Penn Smith is based both on The Honest Whore and Dunlap's adaptation.