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Robert Armine, the Foole

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2020

Extract

Readers of the earlier plays of Shakespeare (c. 1590-1600) cannot fail to notice the existence in them of two old cronies, who are forever strolling into the story from outside. Usually, they make their appearance together, and whatever the nature of the play, they, at any rate, abide the same. They are both amiable, honest simpletons, smacking of the village-green. Sometimes they are servants, sometimes minstrels, and sometimes constables and watchmen. If we scan them more closely, we shall find that each has a separate individuality. One is garrulous, complacent and, on occasion, lachrymose; he is brim-full of the wisdom of the ale-house, and loves to lecture and patronize his companion. This old fellow is a mere shadow to his wiser gossip. It is his business to ask simple-minded questions or to listen in simple-minded wonder to the dogmatic wisdom of his friend. In short, his main duty is to be the cause that wit and comicality express themselves through the mouth of his friend.

Type
Research Article
Information
PMLA , Volume 42 , Issue 3 , September 1927 , pp. 673 - 685
Copyright
Copyright © Modern Language Association of America, 1927

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References

1 The Return from Parnassus, Pt. 2 where Kemp appears in his own person on the stage and expresses a preference for impromptu clowning. So, too, in the Three English Brothers, (1607), where he again appears.

2 The re-discovery of Harvey's marginal reference to Shakespeare's Hamlet, in his copy of Speght's Chaucer (pub. 1598), made before the execution of Essex (Feb. 2, 1601), brings the play at latest to late 1600. Cf. F. S. Boas, Shakespeare and the Universities, App. 1. For the contention that Hamlet, Quarto I, was acted on tour, cf. (Inter alia) Crompton Rhodes, Shakespeare's First Folio, Chap. V.

3 For the facts of Armine's life I must express my entire indebtedness to Miss E. M. Denkinger's illuminating article, “Actors' Names in the Register of St. Bodolph's Aldgate,” P.M.L.A., XLI (1926), 91 ff. And for the dating of his works, I must thank Prof. T. W. Baldwin for his careful study in his article, “Shakespeare's Jester,” M.L.N. XXXIX, 447-55.

4 Tarlton's Jests (Pt. 2. S.R. 1600.)

5 “Hough! Thomas Delone, Philip Stubs, Robert Arnim, etc. your father Elderton is abused.” (Strange News etc. 1593). “He [i.e. Nashe] disdaineth T.D., P.S., R.A. and the common pamphleteers of London” (Pierce's Superogation etc. 1593).

6 In Foole upon Foole (S.R. 1600), in describing the antics of Jemmy Camber, Armine shows a knowledge of the locality of Edinboro' Castle, High St., the Cannongate and Greyfriars Churchyard which could only be picked up at first hand. Experto crede.

7 T. W. Baldwin, op. cit.

8 T. W. Baldwin, op. cit.

9 By “principal comœdians,” Jonson means always actors of the principal parts. He prints the actors' names in double columns to parallel the two columns of dramatis personæ. Name No. 3 of the actors is Alexander Cooke, the impersonator of women's parts. He would impersonate Dol Common, No. 2 in the dram. pers. Names 1 and 2 of the actors are Burbage and Lowin, who, we know from other sources, c. 1609-19, shared parts, and so they would play the Subtle, (No. 1 of dram. pers.). Following the line down in this way (omitting minor characters) we find Armine's name against Epicure Mammon.

10 E. M. Denkinger, op. cit.

11 E. M. Denkinger, op. cit.

12 Nest of Ninnies, 1609.

13 Nest of Ninnies, 1609.

14 Nest of Ninnies, 1609.

15 Nest of Ninnies cf. Dogberry's “Well, God's a good man,” (Much Ado, V. 3.), perhaps, an Arminian addition to the part. For proof that Armine acted Dogberry, cf. his dedicatory epistle to the Italian Taylor: “I pray you pardon the boldness of a beggar who hath been written down an ass in his time, and pleads under forma pauperis notwithstanding his constableship.”

16 Limiting dates, June, 1597-Feb., 1602. T. W. Baldwin, op. cit. 1598-99 seems the most possible date. Perhaps, acted by the Boys at Blackfriars—Armine says it was acted “in the City,” and later the play was the property of the Revels Children.

17 That Armine acted John o' the Hospital, cf. his own statement in the dedication, 1609. “I would againe have inacted John my selfe, but Tempora mutantur in illis, etc. I cannot do as I would. I have thought good to divulge him thus, being my old acquaintance Jack, whose life I knew.”

18 Dedic. to Foole upon Foole, also Italian Taylor.

19 Dedic. to True Discourse, etc.

20 Dedic. to Two Maids, etc.

21 Dedic. to Two Maids, etc.

22 Dedic. to Nest of Ninnies.

23 Dedic. to Italian Taylor.

24 Italian Taylor.

25 Dedic. to Nest of Ninnies.

26 Foole upon Foole (Jack dates).

27 For Bedlam Beggars, i.e. harmless lunatics licensed to beg for Bedlam Hospital, and their songs, etc. cf. Dekker's English Villainies, Disræli's Curiosities of Literature.