Captain Absolute is in Bath to see his lover Lydia using the identity of Ensign Beverly; he unexpectedly meets his father who is curious to why he is there. Captain Absolute informs his father that he is there on matters of business, recruiting troop. Jack is sometimes very laid back about his relationship with his lover and often acts like the situation doesn’t really bother him. For example, he mocks his father over the matter of his love life throughout the entire play “Languish! What, the Languishes of Worcestershire?” “A little, haired girl?” He even encourages one of his friends (who doesn’t know his secret identity) to intervene and confront Ensign Beverly. Jack really puts Ensign Beverly down. Which I think is foolish because it could destroy the relationship between himself and Lydia. If the worse came to worse Jack could easily forget about Lydia and find another woman who is just as nice and rich. Saying this though why would he go through all the lying and sending secret letters just to get one women.
Julia is very similar to Jack in some ways in the relationship. Julia to seems very laid back about her relationship. Although this seems nothing to do with her strong character but the fact that her fiancée is so much of a weak one. Like Jack she is the strongest in the relationship. She doesn’t really seem to be bothered that much and could just as easily go out and find another man. However, she feels obliged to stay with him as he saved her life.
Lydia is very much like Faulkland in that they are weak characters when it comes to love and romance. Lydia feels that her romance needs spicing up so she creates a lover quarrel because Jack too supportive and gave in all the time. She did this to try and make the love stronger because she feels insecure about the relationship. Lydia has gone through extraordinary lengths for this argument to happen.
Faulkland is a very nervous and insecure person who lacks confidence; Jack also feels that Faulklands fears are unfounded. Faulkland has exaggerated things out of all proportions. He fears for the life of Julia knowing that she is by herself. He doesn’t want anything to happen to her. Its almost as if he thinks that this is the only person who he can marry, if she dies its over no one else would marry him this is last chance of tying the knot. He desperately wants to be loved and always compliments her and he wants to know that he is wanted back. H e always put himself down and does think that he has the right qualities. When he does finally receive the news that Julia is in Bath he is happy “Nothing on earth can give me a moments uneasiness”. He is not afraid to reveal his true feelings and in doing so expects something back. In a way he acts very much like a child and constantly needs to be told good things, he demands attention and reassurance. He is also quite jealous.
He and Lydia are very similar he constantly wants to be told that he is loved and he does this by asking her straight to her face or he will complain about something about himself. Whereas Lydia writes a letter to herself so that they have an argument so that Jack will then tell her how much he loves her and how special she is. They are both to exact ways of getting attention.
Although they are two very similar people Lydia protests with her cousin dating Faulkland. She accuses her of being a slave to the whim of Faulkland. According to Lydia Faulkland acts with both jealousy and ingratitude.
In conclusion Faulklands character is melancholy and depressive. Lydia isn’t quite as bad but her and Faulkland are very similar in that they need to be loved and need reassurance. Faulkland and Lydia are both very similar in that they both try to dominate and control the relationship but it doesn’t always work. Faulkland gets angry and has a temper and keeps telling his that he loves her; he tries to persuade her and be nice to gain control. Whereas Lydia plays hard to get by telling Jack she won’t speak to him again because of the letter. Lydia and faulkland are both similar because they are the most emotional of the pair.
Compared to Lydia and Faulkland, Jack and Julia are completely different they are far more relaxed when it comes to love. Jack feels secure in his relationship and feels that they do not really need an argument to kick-start the relationship. Julia is also very secure but she does feel that she owes her lover something “debtor”. Whilst Jack is almost a free man he doesn’t owe anything apart from his father who he must do as he says. Opposites attract.
