The Dumb Knight

The Dumb Knight, The Dumbe Knight: A Historical Comedy, or The Dumbe Knight: A Pleasant Comedy, written by Lewis Machin and Gervase Markham in roughly 1601 was acted by the Children of the King’s Revels likely in the Whitefriars Theatre, which was the acting group’s primarily venue. The play was first published in 1608 by Nicholas Okes and where sold at John Bache’s in Popes-head Palace near the Royal Exchange in London. The play takes place in Sicily and the main plot focus on the characters around the King of Cyprus, who has just conquered Sicily. A strange love between Philocles and Mariana form which nearly has Mariana executed. Out of revenge for the dishonour towards his sister Duke of Epire plans to remove Philocles and the King and make himself king promising that they “both shall tumble down”. While the subplot of Prate and Alphonso provide comic foolery and clash with the main plot at the end of the play. Although the title of the play is The Dumb Knight, Philocles, the “dumb knight” and the second in command to the King of Cyprus, is only mute for a couple of scenes in Act Two and Three. Philocles has an active voice throughout the play and his spell of speechlessness is used to advance the main plot but is not the plots focus.

MEN:

WOMEN:

Scene, Sicily.

The Dumb Knight is essentially two plays put together, one serving as the main plot while the other as the subplot. The two plots converge once at the beginning, when Lollia the wife of Prate views the duelling which determines the outcome of the war between Sicily and Cyprus, and at the end of the play when accusations of Prate reach the King, and Lord Alphonso is brought forth by guards as a pretender of class.

The play starts with the King of Cyprus at war with Sicily. He is winning the war but his desire to marry the Queen causes him to call for “a parley”. The Queen challenges the King “to single combat” to determine who will be the victor of the war. The King agrees, and the Queen selects her two champions, the Duke of Epire and Lord Alphonso, to duel against the King and Philocles. In scene three the combatants meet, and spectators gather to witness the duel including Lollia the wife of Prate. The combatants fight and Philocles bests Alphonso, while Epire overthrows the King of Cyprus. Because there is a draw, it is decided that the two winning combatants must duel each other to determine the winner. More fighting ensues and Philocles wins. Feeling humiliated for losing the war between Sicily and Cyprus the Duke of Epire swears revenge against Philocles. Sometime later Philocles is found musing over Mariana only to have her coming towards his direction. Crying out, “Madam, one word!” Philocles implores to speak with her. Mariana replies with, “Aye; so now farewell!” and intends to keep on walking. Philocles beseeches Mariana to listen as he professes his love for her. They battle back and forwards over his love and her desire for chastity until she finally agrees to love him only if he promises to take a vow of silence and “not speak for fully twelve months” to prove his love and honour towards her. He accepts her challenge one last sentence of promise and Mariana leaves believing he will fail in his quest. Florio then summons Philocles to go and speak with the king. The prince leaves without a word and speaks without a word to the King.

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