'Tis Pity She's a Whore: Act 2, Scene 5 Summary & Analysis

Later that same day, Giovanni returns to the Friar and confesses what he and Annabella have done. The Friar tells him that he has tried to pray on his behalf, but it is no use: Giovanni is surely marked for Hell. Giovanni tries to argue that the Friar is lacking in Christian love. He intends to prove that his actions are good.

Giovanni argues that he learned in school that the composition of the mind was related to the composition of the body. Because Annabella is beautiful, she must also be virtuous in what she does, and love is the purest form of virtue. Thus, their love must be very virtuous.

The Friar tells Giovanni that if there were no God, no Heaven, and no Hell, Giovanni might have some defense. But because Giovanni and Annabella know of God, they know that what they have done is a sin. Giovanni once again argues that Annabella’s love is Heaven and that she is divine.

The Friar, seeing how futile it is to try to persuade Giovanni from his sin, instead tries to persuade him to marry Annabella. Giovanni disagrees, saying that their marriage would prove her guilty of lust. The Friar then demands that Giovanni let him hear her confession. Giovanni assents, saying that she will tell the Friar how much she loves him as well, and that they are committed to love each other. The Friar resolves to visit her.