Analysis Of Clasp A Padlock On Their Minds

Clasp a Padlock on Their Minds

The eighteenth century was teeming with ideas about marriage and the role of men and women in this institution. Literature at the time also served as a commentary on these issues as well. Isaac Bickerstaff explores many of the eighteenth century ideals concerning marriage in his play The Padlock. His play details the account of a young woman, Leonora, in the captivity of Don Diego, a rich old man. Don Diego, eager to marry Leonora, padlocks her in his house while he goes to make wedding arrangements. A much younger Leander gets into Don Diego’s house to win Leonora’s affections. This strategy of male dominance and coerced love, while today may seem outlandish, was not an uncommon practice at the time. While the plot was originally borrowed from Don Quixote, the play does a good job of detailing customs and traditions in place during the mid to late 1700’s. The Padlock itself, and the relationship that transpires between Don Diego and Leonora, serves as a commentary on the institution of marriage, dominance of the male figure, as well as asserts that love cannot be coerced, but must be won.

The author of the play, Bickerstaff, was originally born in Dublin on September 26, 1733, where he heavily benefitted from the cultured city’s musical and theatrical offerings. The city poured forth both local and imported talent including George Frideric Handel. His father supervised Dublin’s bowling greens and tennis courts, but his office was abolished in both an unfortunate and fortunate turn of events. While his father lost his job, Bickerstaff was appointed as a page. At the age of twelve, he received army commission and held rank of second lieutenant for ten years. A small inheritance allowed him to resi...

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...arsh criticism and rebellion. Literary works were a way of reflecting these rebellions and expressing emotions over social issues. Since plays were widely performed, they were able to reach a large number of people. One of the downsides of a performance includes more room for criticism. Playwrights had to make sure that their subject matter would not cause riots and they were enjoyable for their audience. This is where the character Mungo came in handy in the performance of The Padlock. The actors and actresses who played roles in plays often drew the crowds and this was how messages were conveyed. While there were many different messages conveyed in this particular play, there are strong ideas concerning the institution of marriage, male dominance, as well as conceptions about love being won incorporated into the love-triangle of Don Diego, Leonora, and Leander.