The Wooer Character Analysis

The Wooer was the Jailer’s Daughter’s suitor before she fell in love with Palamon. Even though the Wooer belongs to a lower social class than noblemen like Arcite and Palamon, he behaves nobly by supporting the Jailer’s Daughter through her madness. The Wooer rescues the Jailer’s Daughter from drowning, returns her to the Jailer, and follows the Doctor’s orders to pretend to be Palamon to secure the daughter’s affection and gradually restore her sanity. Of course, nobility and a sense of duty aren’t the only things motivating the Wooer to stand by the Jailer’s Daughter: he’ll inherit the Jailer’s wealth and Palamon’s dowry contribution to the dowry if he marries her. Furthermore, the Doctor tells the Wooer (as “Palamon”) to do everything to satisfy every request the daughter asks of him—including requests for physical intimacy, much to the Jailer’s displeasure. The Wooer’s decision to support the Jailer’s Daughter through her madness isn’t entirely selfless. Nevertheless, his noble efforts earn him a happy ending: his love regains her sanity, the couple resumes their engagement, and they receive the unexpected financial benefit of Palamon’s generous contribution to the Jailer’s Daughter’s dowry.