She Stoops to Conquer
Drama
She Stoops to Conquer Main Text
ACT THE FIRST.
SCENE—A Chamber in an old-fashioned House.
Enter MRS. HARDCASTLE and MR. HARDCASTLE.
MRS. HARDCASTLE. I vow, Mr. Hardcastle, you’re very particular. Is there a creature in the whole country but ourselves, that does not take a trip to town now and then, to rub off the rust a little? There’s the two Miss Hoggs, and our neighbour Mrs. Grigsby, go to take a month’s polishing every winte...
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She Stoops to Conquer Summary
Life at the House: The play starts at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle. It is in the countryside, far from the city. Mr. Hardcastle loves old things and a quiet life. But Mrs. Hardcastle wants to go to the city. She is bored with the village. She complains that they never go out and miss all the fun. Mr. Hardcastle says he likes old clothes, old furniture, and old people—even his old wife. The...
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She Stoops to Conquer Key Info
Full Title: She Stoops to Conquer, or The Mistakes of a Night
Playwright: Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774)
Written Time: 1771-1773
First Performed: 15 March 1773
Published Date: 1773
Total Acts & Scenes: 5 Acts (no formal division into scenes in the original)
Genre: Comedy of Manners / Romantic Comedy
Point of View: Third-Person Objective (stage play/ dramatic)
Climax: The reveal of true identitie...
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She Stoops to Conquer Themes
Mistaken Identity and Deception: Mistaken identity is an important theme in this play. Marlow and Hastings think Hardcastle’s house is an inn because of Tony’s trick. Marlow mistakes Kate for a barmaid. The main confusion leads to funny and awkward situations. Characters use disguises and lies to reach their goals. The play shows that deception can bring both trouble and happiness in life.
Love an...
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She Stoops to Conquer Character
Couples and Love Connections in the Play:
Kate Hardcastle & Charles Marlow: The primary romantic pair; their courtship is the play’s central plot.
Constance Neville & George Hastings: Secondary romantic pair who face obstacles imposed by Mrs. Hardcastle.
Tony Lumpkin & Constance Neville: Engaged by arrangement, but both seek to avoid the match.
Families and Relations
The Hardcastles: M...
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Notes
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