Satire and social criticism

Question 1

“Hypocrisy seems to be the only or at least the cardinal sin in Orton’s cosmos.”

Answer 1

Joan Dean

Question 2

“In Loot, he lampoons institutions such as police corruption and hypocrisy in the church”

Answer 2

Orton’s sister

Question 3

Have you ever been in prison?

Dennis: Yes?

[…]

Truscott: you scatter your seed along the pavements without regard to age or sex

[…]

Truscott: I’m not impressed by your fine friends

Answer 3

Truscott is one of many characters who espouse moral values but fail to live by them. Here Truscott asks Dennis how many women he’s made pregnant, with Dennis responding ‘five’ and Truscott responds, ‘you scatter your seed along the pavements without regard to age or sex’ and that Dennis should ‘ought to be ashamed of yourself’.

Ironically, Truscott criticises Dennis for his actions when he is corrupt and represents the incompetence of law enforcement.

Question 4

“satirising the extravagances and corruptions of the court of James I”

Answer 4

Foakes

Question 5

“Vindice usurps, irrevocably, the mind and soul of the revenger”

Answer 5

Walsh

Question 6

Vindice: Tis the best grace you have to do it well; / I’ll save your hand that labour

Vindice: Whose fortunes are upon their faces set, / That fear no other God but wind and wet?

Answer 6

This absurd and farcical act highlights the perverse nature of the court and shows the length to which individuals will exact their revenge.

Vindice uses the skull of Gloriana to poison the Duke and speaks to the skull to continue the ruse of Gloriana being a woman covered in a richly clothed effigy.

Dark humour emphasises its satirical tone.

Question 7

‘Duke: oh royal lecher: go grey haired Adultery’

Answer 7

Self-explanatory. Oxymoron underscores Middleton’s criticism of the ‘noble’ court and aristocracy who indulge in shameful acts such as violence.