She Stoops to Conquer

She Stoops to Conquer Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

In a comic prologue, one of the actors sadly proclaims that the comic muse is dying. He announces that a doctor has created medicine in the form of a comic play, and if the audience finds the play to be funny, then the muse will be healed. If the play is not found to be humorous, he will be paid no fee and the audience will be free to call him a quack. He steps aside, and the play begins.

Mrs. Hardcastle enters complaining to Mr. Hardcastle about the lack of excitement that life in the country affords, about how the mansion they live in looks like an inn rather than a home, and about how he keeps her from going into town to meet new people. She claims she is forced to make do with his old stories for entertainment. Mr. Hardcastle tells her that he prefers simple and old things such as his stories, and teases Mrs. Hardcastle about her age. She protests that she is still young, and claims that she was only twenty when she had her son, and that her son has not yet reached "the age of discretion." Mr. Hardcastle makes a pun on the word discretion and suggests that her son, Tony, never will reach the age of discretion, and complains about Tony's bad behavior. Mrs. Hardcastle tells him that Tony's just high-spirited. At that moment Tony runs through on his way to the pub to meet friends. Mrs. Hardcastle tries to stop him but he refuses listen. Mrs. Hardcastle follows Tony as he runs out, just as Mr. Hardcastle is joined by his daughter, Kate.

Kate is dressed in expensive clothes. Mr. Hardcastle reminds her of his wish that she dress more modestly in the evening when he is at home. He tells her that she is going to have to remember her duty to be obedient to him since Marlow, the man he has chosen for her to marry, is arriving that evening. Mr. Hardcastle lists all Marlow's good qualities: looks, manners, and modesty. Kate approves of all the qualities except for modesty, and says she likes a man to have spirit. Mr. Hardcastle reminds her that the fellow may not find her outspokenness to his taste. Kate replies saying that if that is the case, then she will just go out and find someone more suited to her. Mr. Hardcastle exits to prepare the servants for the arrival of visitors.

Kate's friend Miss Neville comes in. Kate asks whether Miss Neville thinks Kate looks beautiful. After Miss Neville reassures her, Kate reveals what her father just told her about Marlow. When she hears the name Marlow, Miss Neville reveals that he is the best friend and traveling companion of her beloved, Hastings. She reveals that she and Hastings hope to become married but will remain unable to until Mrs. Hardcastle, who is Miss Neville's aunt, gives her the jewels that are her inheritance. Finally, Miss Neville states that Mrs. Hardcastle will only give her the jewels once Kate has married Tony, something that neither Kate nor Tony wants. With their lives at an excitingly critical phase, Miss Neville and Kate go for a walk to calm themselves.