Michael Cunliffe
Remind yourself of Act III scenes ii and iii. What is the
importance of these two scenes in the context of the whole play in "tis pity she's a whore"?
Both these scenes work together as a catalyst for the rest of the corruption in the play and therefore act as a crucial turning point. The importance is recognised in these features of the scenes and is especially seen in the plot and in the characters use of language.
Scene ii opens with Florio's consent for Soranzo to talk with Anabella about marriage. This jovial atmosphere is then seen to descend into something more sinister and threatens the rest of the events in the play to a harsh end. Firstly, Anabella's use of sarcasm mocks Soranzo. Her response to his love sickness is belittled by her saying "why, I thought you had been sick!" And he now believes "'tis plain, she laughs at me." We have already been introduced to Soranzo as high in status and a person who stands up to others such as Grimaldi, so Ford's use of belittling Soranzo, especially by a woman creates great tension. This tension is then amplified by the sudden discovery of Anabella's pregnancy in scene iii. It is clear that her brother is the father, which furthermore implies a sense of great trouble to come, especially after just mocking Soranzo's love. Anabella's use of the dramatic word "o" emphasises this tension and the pace of the play also quickens to show this sudden change in mood and atmosphere of the play.
