The Castle of Otranto 1

Transcription

1 The Castle of Otranto 1 Though Matilda struggled to push all thoughts of Theodore from her mind, she reflected that Isabella had fled with him not once but twice. Isabella remembered Theodore s words that his heart belonged to another. Matilda recalled the way Theodore had gazed at her at Frederic s bedside. Matilda had always spoken of her desire to take the veil. So, might Isabella dare to let her own thoughts fall on Theodore? Although she dared not make any claim on his affections, Matilda had to know what promises, if any, had passed between Theodore and Isabella. In character as, she approaches WOMAN 3/, who continues to narrate. Pardon me. But how could Isabella give her affection to a man who claimed to love someone else? Excuse me. She decided to warn Matilda about the false nature of men and encourage her inclination for the convent. Isabella? Matilda. I trust you slept soundly. I did. I m happy to hear that. And you? Soundly.

2 The Castle of Otranto 2 Well, I m happy to hear that. It s good to sleep well. It s good to be happy. It is good to be happy. Unsatisfied with the ceremonial nature of their exchange, Matilda attempted to expand the conversation to matters of greater significance. In character as. I m glad you re back in the castle. Why did you leave so suddenly? Unwilling to tell her friend of Manfred s dark designs, Isabella spoke vaguely in reply. In character as. Well, with our dear Conrad departed, no anticipated marriage could keep me here. It seems young Theodore served you well in both of your departures. He nearly killed my father! I trust your friendship will create hatred of him in you as it has in me. Well, the surgeons do predict a full recovery. And your father was disguised. How was Theodore supposed to know? You re as charitable toward Theodore as he is toward you. I ve known him only a day. What charity could he feel toward me? Isabella should not have hinted at Theodore s affections for Matilda. She attempted to defuse the tension of the moment by pausing significantly. Pause. Matilda wanted an answer to her question, but refused to be so impolite as to repeat it.

3 The Castle of Otranto 3 Isabella hoped Matilda would find a way to continue the conversation on more pleasant terms. But Matilda s ability to pause significantly was no less than Isabella s. Pause. I wonder why your father was so startled to see the young man in armor. I m sure you ve noticed that the young man, especially in armor, is the very image of Alfonso the Good. I must not have examined the face of the young man as attentively as you have. One can learn a great deal through careful examination. Examinations need not be careful when the truth is so obvious. Matilda s resentment for Isabella was stretching past the tolerance of her affection. Isabella began to feel that her friendship for Matilda would soon be a sacrifice in their battle over Theodore. Pause. Oh, Isabella./I m sorry. I m so sorry. [overlapping at / ] They embrace. I want to assure you that I have no feelings for Theodore. You don t?

4 The Castle of Otranto 4 I can t allow I will commit myself to the convent. Theodore told me he is in love. He loves you, Matilda. That can t be. What can I offer a man who has seen and spoken with you? I saw the way he looked at you. He was looking at me because he was afraid to look at you. He d nearly killed your father. Tell me truthfully: do you love him? I do. I can t love him, but I do. Do you? It doesn t matter: he loves you. And you re my friend. Love him. I can t. I m too afraid. Of Theodore? I m not destined for happiness. You? No, I m the one picked out for misery. My fiancée was killed. Theodore s fate is tied to yours. I can see it when he looks at you. Love him. How can I dare? Because I love you both. Enter. Matilda.

5 The Castle of Otranto 5 Mother. I have important news. You ll pardon me, then. No, stay. It s good news for you both. What is it? Your fathers have decided to bring our houses together. Through marriage. No. My lady, how could you agree to this? It was my idea. [kneels] Oh, St. Nicholas, who will help me now? I will, Isabella, any way I can. What s the matter with you two? I come with the happy news that Matilda will marry Frederic on Sunday next What? What did you think I meant? To Frederic? To your father? You ll destroy us all! I ve saved us.

6 The Castle of Otranto 6 You say Manfred agreed. Do you know what he s planning? I warn you not to speak badly of Manfred in my presence. He is my husband. He won t be for long. He s going to divorce you. What? Why? It s why I ran away. He plans to annul your/marriage and [overlapping at / ] Isabella, stop. Manfred believes the curse on our marriage will destroy Matilda and, to save her life, he wants the marriage annulled. I will consent and enter the convent. You can t do that. He ll only allow Matilda s marriage to Frederic if I marry him. That can t be true. It s why I ran away. Frederic will never allow his daughter Matilda, you will marry Frederic. Forgive me, Mother. For what? I have, without your consent or father s, fallen in love. Isabella, you know about this?

7 The Castle of Otranto 7 We both feel an affection for the young Count. Theodore? I have yielded my affection for him to Matilda. Matilda, you will not think of him. Do you understand? I know it s dangerous, Mother. You will not see him or speak with him. Either of you! I promise, mother. Isabella? Pause. says nothing. I ll go to the convent to speak with Father Jerome. I ll come with you and pledge myself to the altar. You will wait here for your father s decision. Exit. and embrace, and lights fade on them. Lights up on and. She s the finest woman I ve ever seen. Stay away from her. There are forces at work you don t yet understand. Just because she s Manfred s/daughter [at / ] Heaven decrees a tyrant s race will be destroyed to the third and fourth generation. Conrad s gone already.

8 The Castle of Otranto 8 Children are not to answer for the sins of their fathers. Blasphemous child. Did you forget what Manfred did to you? Matilda s kindness wipes any sin of his away. I could tell you tales of Manfred that would wipe out any thought but vengeance. Who s there? Enter. Hippolita! Father Jerome, I m sorry to interrupt. I m here to ask your help to save Matilda. No one could be more deserving. Quiet. We can t stop what heaven decrees. The Lord giveth and He taketh away. He s taken Conrad already. Father, I have to talk to you alone. May heaven grant your every wish. comes downstage to a small pedestal and stands on it, becoming a statue of ALFONSO THE GOOD. Come into the chapel. They walk downstage to the statue. Music. Maybe the gaze of Alfonso will bring us clarity. Bianca was right. She said Theodore looked just like the statue of Alfonso. Don t you think so? Why did you come to see me? I will consent to the annulment of my marriage. I won t hear of it.

9 The Castle of Otranto 9 Manfred and I agree that Frederic will marry our daughter. He ll request the hand of Isabella in return. I know. Why would you agree to this? Hippolita? To save Matilda. How will that/save [at / ] Manfred believes Conrad died as punishment for our marriage. You don t believe that, do you? My son is dead. I don t know what I believe. But I won t risk Matilda, too. He s not doing this to save Matilda. I don t care why if it will keep her safe. I will consent to the annulment for Matilda s sake and ask for a place in the convent. To pray for God s blessing. kneels. kneels beside her. You do this freely? I do. I need your assistance, Father Jerome. Pause. Let us pray. In nomine Patris et filii/et Spiritus Sancti Enter MANFRED, drinking.

10 The Castle of Otranto 10 MANFRED [at / ] Hippolita, you must consent to an annulment of our/unholy union Quiet! [at / ] I ve granted my consent, Manfred. I won t fight the annulment. A creaking sound. The STATUE OF ALFONSO begins to bleed. Now fall on your knees and pray God will forgive us. He sees the statue. Alfonso bleeds. It s a miracle. You see? Submit yourself to the will of heaven. Alphonso s Blood. Heaven speaks. Hippolita, come with me. Where? Away from here. Back to the castle. Manfred MANFRED MANFRED MANFRED Away from this charlatan and his tricks. I m sorry, Father. She rises. MANFRED Don t let him fool you. A fornicator. A pandar to his traitorous son, and a traitor himself! Forgive him, father! Come! MANFRED