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Summary: Gothic Nautical [Ruddigore]

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MUSI 730 Anglo-American Operetta and Musical Theater I
Assignment 1: Chapter Summary by Felix PolendeySummary.
            Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore (1887) presents a genre clash between gothic and nautical idioms.  Using those gothic and nautical ideas, G&S incorporate supernatural melodrama, village or seduction melodrama, and nautical melodrama.  Some examples include: a witch’s curse on the Baronets of Ruddigore to coerce evil deeds (supernatural melodrama); a love triangle between the three main characters and the parody of marriage (village or seduction melodrama); and the plot of “bad Baronets” dastardly deeds, guilt, remorse, and reform (nautical melodrama).
The main plot point in Ruddigore is the love triangle between Rose, a village maiden; Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, a baronet disguised as Robin Oakapple, a younger farmer; and Richard Dauntless, his foster-brother. Robin is in love with Rose, and Rose is in love with him.  They are both reluctant to confess their love to each other; Robin is incredibly shy, and Rose, who takes her direction from an etiquette book, cannot profess her love until she has been spoken to.  Richard goes to Rose on Robin’s behalf, but ends up falling in love with Rose, proposes, and she accepts. Robin, through his jealousy, begins to insult Richard, thus swaying Rose’s love toward him.   Robin’s true identity is revealed when his younger brother, Sir Despard Murgatroyd,  interrupts the wedding and announces that he is the new “Bad Baronet”, thus forcing Rose to change her mind again.
Key points in this chapter:Upon returning to the castle, Robin’s late uncle, Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, orders him to commit a crime, or perish in horrible agony.  He orders him to abduct a girl which Robin reluctantly agrees.  He puts this task in the hands of his servant Adam, who ends up capturing Dame Hannah, Sir Roderic’s former lover.  During this chance reunion, Robin has an epiphany: If a baronet of Ruddigore who refuses to commit the daily crime must die, then that refusal is “tantamount to suicide”, which is a crime in itself.  Due to this loophole, Rose changes her mind again and falls into the arms of Robin.
Sources.
            William’s sources include the script and libretto of Ruddigore using direct quotations and stage directions from those sources. Secondary sources included other operettas by G&S and referencing other early 19th century works.
 

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  1. Literature Summaries & Research Abstracts Steven Gerber

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  1. Person: Sullivan, Arthur Steven Gerber
  2. Person: Gilbert, William S. Steven Gerber
  3. Work: Ruddigore Steven Gerber
  4. Topic: Genre/Form Steven Gerber
  5. Topic: Musical/Theatrical Features Steven Gerber
  6. Topic: Antecedents Steven Gerber
  7. Topic: Satire/Parody Steven Gerber

Contents of this tag:

  1. Participant: Polendey, Felix