Tis Pity She's A Whore Analysis

John Ford’s play, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, deals with matters of adultery, corruption, incest, murder and revenge. Whilst these behaviours make for a sensationalist play, they also convey an underlying commentary on the ideals of womanly behaviour, marriage and adherence church law. During the Renaissance, incest or near incest was common among dynastic families to ensure bloodline purity. Widely practised in royal and wealthy circles, the Church did not condone such behaviour and considered it an abomination. Setting ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, in Parma gave Ford’s play greater notoriety because of its associations with the corrupt and incestuous Borgia and Habsburg dynasties. Throughout the play, examples of corruption and sexual misdemeanours …show more content…
They are too inexperienced, too young to realise the consequences of their actions couched as it is in the language of courtly love and romance. Certainly, Annabella appears more easily swayed given Giovanni’s lies and twisting of the Friar’s words to suit his purpose, “I have asked counsel of the holy Church / Who tells me I may love you” (1.2.261-2). Giovanni’s romantic appeals are a deliberate ploy to win his sister and underneath all this flowery language his actions appears to be no different to those who are openly corrupt. Act five, scene five opens with Annabella and Giovanni lying on a bed, Giovanni’s declaration “What, changed so soon? Hath your new sprightly lord / Found out a trick in night-games more than we” (5.5.1-2) suggests marriage has not ended the relationship. Giovanni views Annabella’s letter and confession as betrayals, and Soranzo’s discovery of her pregnancy has revealed their secret, therefore he believes he has no choice but to remove them both as a judgment against their behaviour, “Revenge is mine; honour doth love command” (5.5.86). Cutting out Annabella’s heart fulfils the marriage vows they made to “Love me, or kill me brother” (1.2.276) and recalls his declaration of having a heart on “which is writ the truth” (1.2.231). His revelations at the banquet act as a form of confession. Giovanni believes the murder is an honour killing and that he will be absolved, “Yes, I tell thee yes;” he replies to Soranzo’s disbelieving question – “Hads’t thou a thought / T’ outlive thy murders?” (5.6. 69-70). Killing Soranzo removes the third side of the marriage triangle that occupies this incestuous bed. Giovanni seeks revenge because he wants to avoid the divine punishment meted out to those who had sex outside of marriage and regain his honour. Vasques’s subsequent slaying of him, and the Cardinal’s putting Putana to the stake, proves that even