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Act 3, Scene 3
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Passion, Lust, and Bloodlust
Desire vs. Duty
Injustice
Religious Piety vs. False Idols
Female Sexuality vs. Social Expectation
Summary
Analysis
Florio and Richardetto (still disguised as a doctor) enter. Florio asks how the doctor finds Annabella, and Richardetto explains that she seems to be no longer in danger. She said that she thought it was food poisoning, but Richardetto believes that it is the maid’s sickness.
Florio resolves to have Annabella married at once to cure her of this sickness. He says that she will marry Soranzo and that he will send someone to find the Friar tonight so that they can be married soon.
Of course, Richardetto’s false diagnosis gives Florio the excuse he needs to have Annabella married to his preferred suitor, Soranzo, demonstrating that even those with good intentions wield a great amount of power over female sexuality—to negative effect.
Themes
At that moment, Giovanni and the Friar enter. Giovanni explains that he called on the Friar so that he might provide some comfort to Annabella. Florio commends him on his “Christian’s care” and “brother’s love.” Florio asks the Friar to persuade Annabella to marry, saying he may be more successful than anyone else. They exit.
