Summary
Arden of Feversham - A Scene-by-Scene summary
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A Scene-by-Scene summary of the anonymous play Arden of Feversham.
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Arden of Faversham 1Arden of Faversham
characters
Thomas Arden
o Self-made man, formerly the mayor of Faversham and appointed as the king’s
controller of imports and exports.
Alice Arden
o Wife of Thomas Arden, lover of Mosby
Mosby
o Alice’s lover, the brother of Susan, Alice’s maid
Susan
o Mosby’s sister
Black Will
o Hired murderer
Shakebag
o Hired murderer, more evil than Black Will
Franklin
o Thomas Arden’s best friend and travelling companion
Clarke
o A painter
Bradshaw
o A goldsmith
Adam Fowle
o Landlord of the Flower-de-Luce
Michael
o Arden’s servant
Greene
Richard Reede
o A servant
Lord Cheiny and his men
Mayor of Feversham and Watch
quick plot overview
Alice has a lover, named Mosby. However, she is already married to Thomas Arden of Faversham, so
the two plot to kill Alice’s husband so they can be together. After failing to do so, they hire men to
kill Thomas and eventually succeed.
about
This is a Domestic Tragedy, based on a real murder. Sensational murders were given to the public in
popular ballads or pamphlets, and only if they got really popular, they would be recorded in a more
serious Chronicle. The poet used the narrative of a Chronicles who wrote 27 years after the date of
the murder. The play is written by an anonymous author and it has been attributed to Thomas Kyd,
Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare, either one of them on their own, one of them in
collaboration with one or multiple anonymous authors, or as a collaboration between the three.
, Arden of Faversham 2
actual play
Act 1 Scene 1
Franklin tells Arden that the Duke Lord of Somerset has given Arden all the lands of the Abbey of
Feversham. However, Arden says that this does not make him happy, as he knows his wife and
Mosby send each other love letters and have private meetings in town. She has even given her
wedding ring to him. Franklin states it is no surprise that women are unfaithful, but Arden is
offended by the low rank of Mosby and is sad because he loves his wife. Franklin proposes that he
and Arden go to London for a while because women want what they cannot have. Arden calls his
wife to tell her this and confronts her with the fact that she called Mosby’s name in her sleep. Alice
Arden claims that she might say his name in her sleep, but she never thinks of him when she is
awake. Arden announces he will be in London for a month.
Alice pretends to be sad, but after the two men leave to prepare for their journey she is rejoiced. It is
Mosby who truly has her heart. Adam of Flower-de-Luce comes and tells Alice that Mosby has sent
him to tell her not to visit him, and he notes that Mosby is sad. Alice sends him to ask Mosby what
she has done to receive his displeasure. Michael arrives, and Alice promises that Mosby’s sister will
be his. He finds this hard to believe, as the painter claims that Susan is his, but Alice reaffirms her
promise.
Mosby comes, and he is very dismissive of Alice. She remembers his solemn oaths, and their
promise to kills Arden. It turns out that Mosby’s rejection was only a test. Mosby knows a painter,
Clarke, who can paint with special oil paint that causes you to die if you look at the artwork. In
exchange for the hand of his sister Clarke has promised to make such a painting 1. Alice is against it
though, as she fears that she or Mosby might die as well. However, Alice immediately promises
Clarke that he can indeed marry Susan.
Franklin, Arden and Mosby encounter each other. Arden confronts the latter with the rumours of
Alice’s unfaithfulness and Mosby grabs Arden’s sword, although he is not allowed to wield one.
Mosby says he indeed used to love Alice, but now only visits Arden’s home so often because his
sister is Alice’s waiting-maid. Arden apologises for his accusations and Franklin asks Mosby to stop
visiting the house so often so that people will not gossip. Mosby refuses this, saying that visiting
often without anything happening will show that the people are wrong.
Alice brings Arden’s breakfast, but he doesn’t eat it. He says it does not taste good, and Alice angrily
throws it on the ground saying that nothing she does pleases him. Arden apologises and the two
make up. Alice insists her husband writes her every day, and Franklin and Arden leave for London.
Mosby compliments Alice’s acting, and they both curse the painter for giving them a bad potion, as
the breakfast was indeed poisoned. Mosby leaves as Greene arrives, who is looking for Arden. The
lands he has gained include that of Greene, and his land is the only way he can earn a living. Suffice
to say, he’s pissed off. Alice plays the poor abused wife which causes Greene’s anger at Arden to
grow. He promises to kill Alice’s husband, but she instead encourages him to stay safe himself and
instead she gives him a pound to hire men to kill Arden, and when the deed is done she promises
him 20 more pounds and his land returned to him. He agrees and leaves.
Mosby and Clarke return, Alice encourages the later to woo Susan, and when Clarke is gone, she tells
Mosby of Greene’s murder-plot. Mosby originally isn’t too enthusiastic because he fears that they
will be found out of more people know, but he doesn’t mind too much. Susan and Clarke return,
1
Holy crap that’s a lot of the word ‘paint’ in one sentence.
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