Beth Graham

Compare Act 1 sc 1 with Act 2 sc 5 focusing on changes in Giovanni's and the Friar's state of mind.

Within the play Tis Pity she’s a Whore, characters Giovanni and the Friar undergo a dramatic change in their state of minds when one compares Act 1 Scene 1 and Act 2 Scene 5. This dra-matic change is based on their outlook on religion and philosophy mostly, with Giovanni becoming more skeptical whereas the Friar becomes noticeably frustrated.

Religion and philosophy are both key themes within the first scene of the play, Giovanni decides to confide in the Friar with his desire for the love of his sister Annabella, his desire for incest. At this point in the play we see Giovanni reaching out to religion for help in regards to his mostly sexual desires, he knows what he wants is wrong or in this case unholy “To you I have unclasped my bur-dened soul.” This also acts as the reader’s first indicator that this is in fact a tragedy, that this will ultimately be Giovanni’s downfall. After confessing that he has fallen in lust with his sister Annabella, the Friar attempts to offer Giovanni a way out before he fully commits to this sin “Re-pentance, son, and sorrow for this sin… With thy unranged almost blasphemy.” Throughout the scene the Friar repeatedly advises Giovanni that religion is his only way to escape this sinful fate, although the young man is wanting to be forgiven, he still provides rather skeptical or even argu-ment evoking responses “One soul, one flesh, one love, one heart, one all?’ Although he is searching for escapism through religion, it is suggested that part of him enjoys the sinful nature of it all.

This attitude towards his lust is confirmed in Act 2 Scene 5 in which Giovanni has lost any regard of religion as he chose to fully embrace the sinful incest and instead choses to argue with the Friar over their contrasting beliefs “Father, in this you are uncharitable; what I have done, I’ll prove both fit and good.” Unlike the previous scene, Giovanni is boldly displaying his doubts or disregard of religion, however it is also possible that he is also attempting to anger the Friar as he blames him for his situation and lack of repentance. This scene really encompasses the conflict between both Giovanni and the Friar, their clash of belief and morality.

One of the main differences between the two scenes is the changing relationship between Gio-vanni and the Friar. In the first scene the Friar is seen to be rather supportive of Giovanni, wanting to help him off of this dangerous path “Look through the world, and thou shalt see a thousand faces shine more glorious than this idol thou ador’st.” It is clear that the Friar is proud of his intelli-gence but is truly worried about Giovanni’s lustful desires; the Friar believes if Giovanni follows that road it will lead him to his death where nobody will be able to save him. Interestingly, this ad-vice to find another lover was also given to Romeo in regards to his star crossed lover relationship with Juliet; he was warned by another friar that he must find another to love if not his love for Juliet will kill him due to their backgrounds and incapable secrets between them much like Giovanni and Annabella.

This relationship between the Friar and Giovanni dramatical changes by the next scene, as the Friar has lost his temper with Giovanni’s incompetence. This conflict between the two also seems to be the result from their previous conversation “Peace! Thou hast told a tale whose every word threatens eternal slaughter to the soul.” The Friar clearly demonstrates his lack of sympathy to-wards Giovanni at the beginning of the scene, mirroring the first act in the play; the Friar knows that there will be no mercy from God on Giovanni’s behalf now, his fate is eternal damnation.

In conclusion, there is a great contrast between the Friar and Giovanni when one compares the two given scenes. The Friar goes from sympathising Giovanni’s plee for religious help to accepting his sinful fate, the Friar knows there is nothing more that can be done to help Giovanni, that he sealed his fate by ignoring he offers of repentance.