Mateus and Humphrey are entirely different to each other in a sense of character looks, actions, and general attitude towards Phyllis. We first get a description of Humphrey around line 56, “ Interests within the Court - was one Humphrey Gould a bachelor a personage neither young nor old; neither good-looking nor positively plain” The description is detailed yet vague, it leaves very much to be desired, “ neither young nor old” it’s very bland, imprecise James Hardy is suggesting he is of middle age. In this short description we can devise a brief image of Humphrey.
Around line 107 we are introduced with the interesting character of Mateus. “ Her attention was arrested by a solitary figure walking along the path” the introduction that James Hardy has chosen is rather different to Humphrey maybe suggesting in an early stage in the story that he is more important. “ It’s aspect was so striking, so handsome, and his eyes were so blue and sad, abstracted.” The description is of more beauty compared to Humphrey’s suggesting quite obviously Mateus is the better looking man. The acquaintance of Phyllis by both men were distinctively different. Humphrey approached Dr. Grove Phyllis father for her hand in marriage, Humphrey having come from a highly respected family Dr. Grove was overwhelmed, and saw this as an great opportunity for his family. Mateus’ s meeting with Phyllis differed to Humphreys. He was simply walking past and they both noticed each other, on the whole a more romantic meeting.
A character of a person, is largely determined by how that person behaves, by their actions, and how they treat and speak to others. James Hardy has taken this in to account, and has purposefully made Humphrey and Mateus follow this rule in the story. Humphrey in the story is quite obviously the meaner more arrogant man of the two. Having come from a “upper class” back ground the way in which he treats Phyllis to us and compared to Mateus is bad, but in that day and age it was expected. Mateus on the other hand treats Phyllis with much deserved respect unlike Humphrey making him to us as the reader a more desirable and generally the more amiable man of the story. Another difference of the two men which is very blatant, is the respect given to Phyllis from both men. Humphrey is a “respected” man in the story and as we soon learn he isn’t much of a man to be respected, as he marries in Bath and comes home to ask of Phyllis hand in marriage, that in itself is disrespectful. Mateus however, is a gentleman, he treats Phyllis with great gratitude and dignity. He tells Phyllis about his plans and feelings expressing how he felt, unlike Humphrey who lied about how long he was to stay in Bath for and about his secretly kept marriage.
James Hardy, having written a love triangle based story, had to obviously think about many factors to create an effective piece of writing. Also having such characters such as Mateus and Humphrey the language needed to be very descriptive and effective. Well utilising his skills as a writer, he has produce a fine piece of writing which attracts and thrills the reader. The use of language is very effective, it entices the reader with descriptive twists and turns. On another level, James hardy uses coincidence as a main drive for his story. Phyllis having being there at the very moment when the coach stops right beside her is slightly farfetched, however he works it into the story and quite cleverly uses this as a believable factor of the story.
The setting of Melancholy of the German Hussars is used to James Hardy’s advantage. He has written with emphasise on the times, and level of stature of men and women of that time. Phyllis is a good example of this, she is a woman of that time, she has to in simplified terms obey men especially her father. Humphrey and Mateus also show traits of actions and roles from this time also. Humphrey coming from a upper class family has great stature and respect, however Mateus has no real stature because he just a corporal in the German Hussars.
In retrospect, James hardy has quite obviously used his clever writing skills and imagination to create a mixed array of characters, that have the typical characteristics of people in that time. He has also added Mateus effectively as a comparison to Humphrey, and to show the other side to men of that time.
