Ben Jonson’s play The Silent Woman (1609) stands as a significant work in the English comedy of manners. Written during the Renaissance, it belongs to a category of drama often associated with sophisticated and witty repartee, focusing on the relationships and behaviors of the elite. The play is a prime example of Jonson’s satirical brilliance, as it exposes the pretensions, hypocrisy, and absurdities of London society in a humorous yet cutting manner. While Jonson’s name is sometimes overshadowed by his contemporary, Shakespeare, The Silent Woman reveals his mastery of comic structure, social observation, and character development.
Summary and Analysis of The Silent Woman
The plot of The Silent Woman centers on the eccentric character Morose, a wealthy but curmudgeonly man who despises noise and conversation to an absurd degree. He lives in a house insulated from sound and dreams of leading a quiet life, free from the constant barrage of social chatter. To further his aim of silence, he plans to marry a woman who is naturally silent, in the hope that he can avoid any form of communication with her. This bizarre setup becomes the catalyst for much of the comedy, with Morose’s desire for peace and silence contrasted against the chaos and noise of London society.
As the play unfolds, Morose’s plans are thwarted by his nephew, Sir Dauphine Eugenie, who concocts a scheme to marry Morose to Epicoene, the “silent woman.” However, Epicoene’s silence turns out to be short-lived. Once she and Morose are wed, she becomes loud, talkative, and utterly disruptive, much to Morose’s horror. The more Morose tries to rid himself of his talkative bride, the more entangled he becomes in the farcical situation. In a further twist, it is revealed at the end that Epicoene is not a woman at all but a young boy disguised by Sir Dauphine as part of his elaborate ruse to force Morose to relinquish his wealth and inheritance.
The play’s plot is deeply intricate, revolving around themes of deception, gender roles, and social expectations. While it might seem on the surface a straightforward comedic farce, Jonson imbues the text with satirical elements that critique societal conventions. The resolution, wherein Morose is outwitted and humiliated, is both satisfying and ironic, as the very silence he sought leads to his undoing.
Character Analysis
Morose
Morose is the central character of the play, a curmudgeonly and misanthropic man who detests noise and conversation. He represents an exaggerated form of introversion, one that becomes absurd as the play progresses. His disdain for society and his obsession with quietness are laughable but also reflect Jonson’s critique of the isolated individual who cannot engage with the world around them. Morose is a static character; his personality remains unchanged throughout the play, and his downfall is rooted in his refusal to adapt. His desire to control his environment, particularly through his marriage to a supposedly silent woman, backfires spectacularly, showing the folly of trying to manipulate others to fit one’s own narrow worldview.
Sir Dauphine Eugenie
Sir Dauphine, Morose’s nephew, is the instigator of the plot against his uncle. Unlike Morose, Sir Dauphine is witty, resourceful, and socially adept. He represents the “trickster” figure in the play, orchestrating the events that ultimately lead to Morose’s downfall. Sir Dauphine’s primary motivation is to secure his inheritance, which Morose has threatened to withhold. His plan to deceive Morose by having him marry a boy disguised as a woman showcases his cunning and his understanding of his uncle’s weaknesses. Sir Dauphine’s victory at the end of the play highlights the triumph of wit and intelligence over foolishness and stubbornness.
Epicoene
Epicoene, the “silent woman” of the title, is initially presented as the ideal wife for Morose—submissive, quiet, and compliant. However, this image is quickly shattered once the marriage is consummated, and Epicoene begins to speak. Her sudden transformation into a loud, assertive woman plays into the comedic structure of the play, where expectations are constantly overturned. The final revelation that Epicoene is actually a young boy in disguise adds another layer of complexity to the character. Epicoene functions as a device for the play’s satire on gender roles and social expectations. The fact that Morose is tricked into marrying a man highlights the absurdity of his desire for a silent and submissive wife, while also poking fun at the rigid gender norms of the time.
Truewit
Truewit is another important figure in the play, serving as a commentator and observer of the events. He is a friend of Sir Dauphine and acts as a foil to Morose. Where Morose is antisocial and introverted, Truewit is gregarious and full of wit. He represents Jonson’s ideal of the learned and articulate man, able to navigate social situations with ease and humor. Truewit’s speeches throughout the play offer insights into the themes of marriage, gender, and social behavior, and his role as a confidant to Sir Dauphine helps to move the plot forward. Truewit’s name is indicative of his character; he is a mouthpiece for Jonson’s own views on society, and his witty dialogue often provides the sharpest critiques of the other characters’ behavior.
Clerimont and Captain Otter
Clerimont and Captain Otter serve as comic figures in the play, providing additional layers of humor through their interactions with the main characters. Clerimont is a friend of Sir Dauphine and Truewit, and he represents the fashionable, carefree gentleman of London society. Captain Otter, on the other hand, is a henpecked husband, constantly dominated by his wife, Mistress Otter. Their relationship mirrors the main plot in a farcical way, highlighting the theme of marriage and the power dynamics between men and women.
Mistress Otter
Mistress Otter is another strong female figure in the play, similar to Epicoene in her assertiveness and dominance over her husband. She provides comic relief through her overbearing nature, but also serves as a critique of traditional gender roles. Her domineering personality stands in stark contrast to the silent and submissive ideal that Morose desires, further reinforcing Jonson’s satire on marriage.
Themes
Marriage and Gender Roles
At the heart of The Silent Woman lies a sharp critique of marriage and the traditional gender roles associated with it. Morose’s desire for a silent wife reflects the patriarchal expectation that women should be seen and not heard, valued only for their obedience and silence. Jonson subverts this expectation through Epicoene, who transforms from the ideal, silent woman into a loud and disruptive force, much to Morose’s horror. The revelation that Epicoene is actually a man in disguise further complicates the play’s exploration of gender. By having Morose unwittingly marry a man, Jonson challenges the rigid gender binaries of his time, suggesting that the roles of men and women are performative rather than inherent.
The play also satirizes the institution of marriage itself, portraying it as a transaction based on self-interest rather than love or affection. Morose’s primary motivation for marriage is to produce an heir, while Sir Dauphine’s plot revolves around securing his inheritance. The marriage between Morose and Epicoene is devoid of genuine emotional connection, serving instead as a tool for deception and manipulation. Through these relationships, Jonson critiques the mercenary nature of marriage in a society that prioritizes wealth and social status over personal happiness.
Silence and Communication
Another key theme in The Silent Woman is the tension between silence and communication. Morose’s obsessive desire for silence is both absurd and tragic, as it alienates him from society and ultimately leads to his downfall. In Jonson’s world, silence is not a virtue but a flaw, representing a refusal to engage with others. Morose’s attempts to control his environment through silence are continually thwarted, culminating in his marriage to a woman who turns out to be anything but quiet. The play suggests that communication, even when noisy or chaotic, is an essential part of human interaction, and that those who seek to isolate themselves from it are doomed to failure.
The theme of communication is also explored through the play’s witty dialogue and verbal sparring. The characters’ ability to use language effectively—particularly Sir Dauphine and Truewit—becomes a measure of their intelligence and social competence. In contrast, Morose’s attempts to stifle communication render him foolish and out of touch with the world around him. Jonson seems to suggest that wit and verbal dexterity are essential tools for navigating the complexities of social life, while silence leads to isolation and ignorance.
Deception and Disguise
Deception is a driving force in The Silent Woman, with almost every character engaging in some form of trickery or disguise. Sir Dauphine’s elaborate plot to deceive Morose by presenting Epicoene as a silent woman is the central deception of the play, but there are numerous other instances of characters hiding their true intentions or identities. The theme of disguise extends beyond physical appearance to encompass social roles and behaviors. Epicoene’s disguise as a woman highlights the performative nature of gender, while Morose’s rigid insistence on silence is itself a kind of deception, as he attempts to impose an artificial order on the world.
Through these deceptions, Jonson critiques the superficiality of social conventions and the ease with which they can be manipulated. The play’s resolution, in which the truth is revealed and Morose is outwitted, underscores the idea that deception is an inherent part of social interaction. However, Jonson’s treatment of deception is not entirely negative; in many cases, it is presented as a necessary tool for survival in a complex and hierarchical society. Sir Dauphine’s success depends on his ability to deceive, while Morose’s downfall is a result of his inability to see through the deceptions of others.
Social Critique
The Silent Woman is also a satire of London society, with Jonson taking aim at the pretensions and absurdities of the city’s elite. The characters in the play represent various social types, from the miserly Morose to the fashionable Clerimont and the domineering Mistress Otter. Jonson portrays these characters with a mixture of humor and critique, exposing their vanity, hypocrisy, and foolishness. The play’s depiction of marriage as a mercenary transaction reflects Jonson’s broader critique of a society in which wealth and status are prioritized over personal integrity or happiness.
The setting of the play—London, with its bustling streets, noisy taverns, and crowded homes—reinforces the idea that noise and chaos are an inevitable part of urban life. Morose’s attempts to create a bubble of silence in the midst of this noisy city are portrayed as both laughable and futile. Jonson seems to suggest that those who try to escape the complexities of social life, whether through silence or isolation, are doomed to failure.
Conclusion
The Silent Woman is a masterful example of Ben Jonson’s comedic genius. Through its intricate plot, sharp wit, and rich characterizations, the play offers a scathing critique of marriage, gender roles, and social conventions. Morose’s absurd desire for silence and his eventual downfall highlight the dangers of attempting to control others, while the play’s resolution underscores the importance of communication, wit, and adaptability in navigating the complexities of society.
Jonson’s satire is both humorous and insightful, revealing the contradictions and absurdities of human behavior. The Silent Woman remains a timeless work, as its themes of deception, gender, and social critique continue to resonate with modern audiences. Through the character of Morose and the chaos that surrounds him, Jonson exposes the folly of those who seek to impose rigid structures on a world that thrives on unpredictability and change.
