Given Alice’s manipulative and cunning character, her comparison to a mythological hydra by Arden is particularly apt. Stemming from Greek mythology, the hydra is a venomous monster possessing nine heads and extremely difficult to kill. As Linebaugh and Rediker illuminate, “when Hercules lopped off one of the hydra’s heads, two new ones grew in its place” (2-3). Just as the hydra regrows its head when attacked, Alice exhibits increasing maliciousness when provoked. When questioned by Arden about her disloyalty early in the play, she deceitfully diverts her own indiscretion by accusing Arden of unwarranted mistrust, “Hast thou not lately found me over-kind? / Didst thou not hear me cry they murder thee? / Called I not help to set my husband free?” (XIII.101-103).
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Eager to mollify Arden and dominate the game she is playing, as underscored by the irony of the diction “over-kind”, she develops multiple schemes while allowing Arden to view Mosby, Shakebag and Black Will negatively. When interrogated again by Arden about her relationship with Mosby, she even references heaven to protect her innocence, “The heavens can witness of our harmless thoughts” (XIII.116). Her lack of reverence and ethical limitations highlights her degeneration into a bestial state. In a sense, the multiple heads of the hydra can be seen as a symbol of Alice’s multiplicity. While portraying herself as an innocent wife in front of Arden, she simultaneously depicts herself as a devoted lover in front of Mosby and a victim of Arden’s tyranny in front of Greene to gain his trust and assistance in her murder plan. Alice perseveres relentlessly with each failed murder, inventing new and increasingly cruel ways of murdering Arden, as seen by her progression from attempting to poison his broth to killing him in his own
Eager to mollify Arden and dominate the game she is playing, as underscored by the irony of the diction “over-kind”, she develops multiple schemes while allowing Arden to view Mosby, Shakebag and Black Will negatively. When interrogated again by Arden about her relationship with Mosby, she even references heaven to protect her innocence, “The heavens can witness of our harmless thoughts” (XIII.116). Her lack of reverence and ethical limitations highlights her degeneration into a bestial state. In a sense, the multiple heads of the hydra can be seen as a symbol of Alice’s multiplicity. While portraying herself as an innocent wife in front of Arden, she simultaneously depicts herself as a devoted lover in front of Mosby and a victim of Arden’s tyranny in front of Greene to gain his trust and assistance in her murder plan. Alice perseveres relentlessly with each failed murder, inventing new and increasingly cruel ways of murdering Arden, as seen by her progression from attempting to poison his broth to killing him in his own