First year intermediate - English - Character Sketch

Character Sketch from Play

MRS Meldon:

Introduction

Mrs. Meldon is a character from a play named Progress written by St. G. Ervine. The play was sent in 1919, just one year after the first World War. Mrs. Meldon was aged about forty-three. She is a sensitive looking widow. She was suffering deeply from her memories. She is not a fretful, complaining women who had suffered bereavement and when in the course of play, she speaks of her loss, she does so with grace and beautiful dignity. Her son was killed in the First World War and her husband died away out of heart failure. So she was the victim of adverse circumstances. She has a strong sense of tolerance.

Beginning of Her Role

Mrs. Meldon’s role started from the second scene when she returns from a long journey and her brother, Professor Henry Corrie, does not receive her at the station. It was the death anniversary of her only son, Eddie. Beginning of Her Role

Mrs. Meldon’s role started from the second scene when she returns from a long journey and her brother, Professor Henry Corrie, does not receive her at the station. It was the death anniversary of her only son, Eddie.

Qualities and Character

The qualities and the character of Mrs. Meldon as presented in play are:

A Dignitful Lady

Mrs. Meldon has a character full of dignity and grace. She is a lady who has faced the emotional sufferings of life. A woman having a compassionate, patient, gentle, sensitive and graceful appearance is what Mrs. Meldon looks like. She is dressed in black clothes, partly because she is a widow and mainly because it was the third death anniversary of her son. He dignity becomes apparent when she opines about war.

A Bereaved Widow and Mother

Eddie was her only son, killed in First World War. She had brought up her son with a great care and love. She wanted him to be great in future. Her son enlisted himself in war. She could not decide to be happy or sorry but chiefly she was happy. The sight of the messenger made her heart sink and she remained worry about her son. He came on his first and second leaves all safe but he did not come for third visit. He was killed in a moment by the men, who had never seen him. This was the most shocking news. Her husband could not bear it and died away out of heart failure. She remained all-alone in this miserable world.

“I some times wonder why I was not granted the mer of death. Why I should be compelled to live alone.”

The words of the play reflects her loneliness:

“ I had a husband and a son, when the war began, I had neither when it was over. I am the most lonely woman – cruelly alone.”

Her Hatred for War

She hated wars. She considered them as an organized butchery of the young ones. She though wars to be the most terrible thing, which was responsible for the destruction of human peace. She wanted ban on wars. She wanted the scientists to stop making dangerous weapons. This was the war, which made her widow and which snatches away her beautiful young son. She said:

“Yes, people with broad views, because you are fools. Some one like me, not clever, create beautiful things like my son, and you, will all your cleverness can only destroy it.”

A Brave Woman

Mrs. Meldon was a brave woman. In spite of losing all what she had, she bore the tragedy patiently. She always suffered from old memories, but never showed her bereavement. She behaved as a calm and uncomplaining person.

A Friend of Humanity

On knowing that her brother has invented a dreadful bomb, she becomes deeply grief. She opposed her brother and called him The Most Stupid Man on Earth. She cared for all the mothers as she had seen the fury of life. She wanted that other boys like Eddie must not fell prey to horrors of devastating wars. Mrs. Meldon, as a symbol of peace for all, did not rejoice at the wicked achievement of her brother. She perfectly reflected her friendship towards humanity.

“Love and Peace can make the world a Heaven.”

War Antagonist

Mrs. Meldon was a true well wisher of human beings. She was totally against war because she thought that war was an organized butchery of young people. She said that:

"War is an organized butchery of Boys."

The lady wanted complete abolition of war. She dreamed that peace, love, care and harmony should prevail in the world and the earth should depict the shades of Heaven.

A Passionate Woman

Mrs. Meldon was an enthusiastic person. She becomes extremely emotional when her brother denies destroying his invention. When Professor tell his motives to her, her limit of patience and endurance gets crossed.

“It will bring me fame and fortune. I shall be rich now, but more than that I shall be famous.”

She grew extremely emotional and impulsive and in the interest of humanity. She takes the matter into her own hands. To save the human race from the deadly invention, she picks a knife and stabbed her cruel brother to death.

“To kill someone is also humanity, but only for the sake of a nation.”

Comments on Mrs. Meldon’s Act

Legally, Mrs. Meldon committed a crime by killing Professor Corrie. She did not have the right to commit such an act of madness. But on the other hand, her act seems to be justified for the sake of humanity. Sometimes a drastic and violent action becomes essential to crush wicked elements. In dismay, she said:

“Eddie, dear! I had to Eddie!

She exalts herself in our eyes and we begin to adore her as a protector of humanity.

Conclusion

She was really shocked to know that her brother has invented a bomb, which will destroy the whole nation within twinkling of any eye. She requested him that for the sake of young sons and for the sake of peace, he must destroy his invention. Her brother did not realize the intensity of her emotions and refused to destroy it for the sake of mere sentiments. So she killed him. In the end she saw the wreath of son ruined and out of sudden passion, she killed him and wins the sympathies of the readers.

Prof. Henry Corrie:

Introduction

The author titles the play, The Progress ironically. He laughs at the attitude of war-mongers and the scientists who believe that they are contributing to the progress of science by inventing deadly weapons.

In Professor Corrie, the playwright has created a self-centered scientist aged between fifty and sixty who is a confirmed bachelor. His sole interest in life is his scientific experiments. He captivates our attention from the beginning till the end of the play. His wolfish snarls and physical features, speak a lot about his inhuman behaviour.

A Wicked Person

He felt pleasure in destruction. He wanted to make the wars horrible. He invented a dangerous bomb full of corrosive gas, which could obliterate whole cities within no time. He wished to make the war so horrible that no nation will engage in one unless absolutely driven to it. He said:

“With a single bomb, we could wipe out the population of a city as a big as Manchestar.”

As A Reputed Scientist

There is no doubt that Professor Corrie is a great scientist, who is extremely dedicated and devoted in his scientific experiments. When the curtain goes up, we find Professor Corrie engrossed in his experiment. His experiment is a success and he has succeeded in inventing a lethal and devastating bomb, which is so powerful that according to him:

“I’ve discovered a combination of explosives and gases that will obliterate thousands at once! Thousands.”

The above quoted words show the deep faith Corrie has in the destructive quality of the bomb and his cruel nature and inhuman behaviour.

As A Self-Willed Person

Professor Corrie is an extremely selfish and self-willed person. He is out and out a materialist. He has discovered the formula of the bomb to earn fame and fortune. He is delighted at the thought that his invention would make him famous and well-known all over the world. He did not care about the feeling of his sister wanted her rejoices his invention. He wished her to forget her tragedy and suggested taking a broad point of view. She must imagine herself a statesman. He said:

“Oh, a mother’s feelings, of course, but look at the matter from a broad point of view. Put you own feelings aside.”

As An Unpatriotic Person

Professor Corrie is crazy and unpatriotic. He wants to sell the formula of the bomb, to any government, which would pay him the highest price. As he says:

“I shall offer it first to the British Government, of course, but if they won’t pay my price, I shall offer it to somebody else.”

The above lines speak of his unpatriotism and greed for money.

As A Cruel And Heartless Person

Professor Corrie possesses a very cruel disposition. His eyes reflect the coldness and seriousness of his character. He is a devil in human form. To him human beings are of no consequence. Even his sister, Mrs. Meldon’s grief has no effect on him. Although he is aware that his sister is emotionally shattered by the death of her son, Eddie, yet he does not comfort or console her, at her tragic loss.

As An Enemy of Women

Professor Corrie is cynical about women and has a poor opinion of them. He thinks that women lack in concentration and have a fussy and talkative nature. That is why they are not very often crowned with success. According to him:

“Your sex is most extraordinary, Charlotte. Always willing to break off things, for other things. No application, no concentration, no capability for complete impersonal devotion.”

Corrie’s Desire For Immortality

Corrie was mad for immortality. That is why he invented the bomb. He hopes:

“This will bring fame and fortune to me. I shall be rich and now but more than that I shall be famous. My name will live forever.”

Corrie’s Tragic End

Mrs. Meldon is absolutely horrified, when she learns of his terrible invention. She repeatedly requested him to destroy the formula of the bomb. She says:

“Henry, I beg you to destroy your invention.”

Professor Corrie pays no attention to her, so Mrs. Meldon, in a state of frenzy, drove a sharp knife in his back. Corrie falls on his face, dead cold. Thus the curtain draws on the play, with his tragic end.

Monte Cristo:

Introduction

The Count of Monte Cristo is the hero of the play, The Count’s Revenge. He is the charming, swashbuckling and ever obliging nobleman, splendidly dressed. The handsome hero, gay, cynical, not very young, with the touch of the devil about him.

As A Young Sailor

As a young man, Monte Cristo was known as Edmond Dantes, a mere sailor of Marseilles, a port in South of France. He loved a beautiful Catalan girl, Mercedes, to whom he was engaged. He was to marry her, on his return from a voyage, which he was to undertake in due course of time.

A Victim Of Conspiracy

But the marriage never took place, as a young fisherman, Fernand Mondego, a friend of Edmond and a snake under grass has other plans. Fernand Mondego secretely loved Mercedes and wished to marry her. So the crafty Fernand, hatched the most devilish of plots against his own friend (Edmond) whereby he got him condemned as a spy of exiled Buonopart, by giving false evidence in the court.

Convicted As A Spy

Poor Edmond, a victim of hatred and jealousy, is convicted as a spy and condemned to life imprisonment in an underground dungeon. The evil Fernand then, convinced Mercedes, through false news in the press that Edmond Dantes had died in prison. Then he gradually gained her confidence by sympathizing with her. In this way, Fernand succeeded in marrying Mercedes.

Escapes From Prison

The unfortunate Edmond Dantes, remained in Prison for 14 long years. He is an innocent victim of blind justice. Then luck favoured him. Six years before the events of our play, Edmond contrived to escape from prison. After escaping from prison, he re-establishes himself in life with wonderful speed and success. In six years, he acquires wealth, a little and a dazzling place in the French Society and settles down in Paris.

As Count Of Monte Cristo

As Count of Monte Cristo, he is greatly respected and admired. But his main aim in life is to take revenge from Fernand Mondego, his deadly enemy, now living in Paris as the Count of Morcerf. Monte Cristo discovers after searching investigations, that his old enemy the Count of Morcerf committed yet another gross act of villainy during his service in the French Army. That he accepted bribes from the Turks, with whom France was at war and surrendered the Fortress of Yanina to them, in 1823.

Count’s Revenge

By keeping in the background, Monte Cristo condemns Count of Morcerf as a traitor to his country. He thus succeeds in taking sweet revenge from his archenemy. He first publishes articles in the newspapers and later in the Chamber of Deputies, he backs his charges by giving convincing proofs. It is at this point, in the play, that Morcerf is, at least exposed as the Villain that he is.

Monte Cristo’s Challenge

Albert, the son of the Count of Morcerf is much offended on learning that his own friend is the cause of his family disgrace and disrepute. In a fit of rage, he challenges Monte Cristo to a duel, which was to be fought at Bois-de-Vincennes at 8 a.m.

Duel Averted

Owing to the intervention of the Countess, his beloved of yester-years, Monte Cristo consents to spare her son’s life. Monte Cristo gives his word that Albert would come to no harm and that he would die, in his place. However, it is the villain who dies and Monte Cristo is thus avenged.

Conclusion

There is no denying that Monte Cristo is the pivot around whom the whole play revolves. He is indeed a man of integrity and honour. He has a charming personality. He is kind and noble who is rewarded in the end for his virtuosity.

The Count of Morcerf:

Introduction

The Count of Morcerf is presented as the villain of the play, The Count’s Revenge. Prior to becoming a Count, he was a fisherman. He was then known as Fernand Mondego. At that point of time, he lived in Marseilles. He had a friend, Edmond Dantes, who was a sailor. Fernand was quite friendly with him. Edmond was engaged to a beautiful Catalan girl, Mercedes. This fact was known to Fernand. But being an evil natured man, he secretly yearned to marry Mercedes. Therefore, to make his dream come true, he hatched a plot – the most diabolic, which any man could have hatched, against any man.

A Rogue And A Rascal

He is out and out a rogue and a rascal. In order to win the hand of Mercedes, he framed a false charge against his friend, Edmond in the court. He proved that Edmond was the spy of the exiled NapoleonBonapart. He provided false evidences against Edmond and thus got him imprisoned for 20 years. In this way, he very cleverly removed the innocent Edmond, out of the way.

A Mean And Degraded Man

Once Edmond Dantes had been taken care of Fernand had little difficulty in trapping Mercedes into his trap. He first convinced Mercedes, of the death of Edmond by publishing the false news of his death in the newspapers. Then appearing as a friend and a sympathizer her first consoled her. And after wining her confidence, he then proposed to marry her. Being heart-broke and lonely, she accepted his offer. Thus, the evil monster, succeeded in his devilish plan.

A Traitor To His Country

Having accomplished all his plans successfully, he decided to settle down in Paris. So, he said good bye to Marseilles. While in Paris, he joined the Army, and after sometime, became a captain in 1822. The French were at war against the Turks. Fernand as Captain was defending the Fortress of Yanina. Being a coward and a mean person, he surrendered the fortress to the Turks on receiving a huge bribe. He however made it appear as though he got defeated. Having acquired tons of wealth, Fernand took his discharge from the Army. He then took the title of the Count and settled in Paris.

As A Liar And A Wicked Person

Having amassed a huge fortune, the count started living like a lord when he is proved as a traitor in the chamber of Deputies, he still kept denying his charges. Even in the face of sound evidence, he kept denying his guilt. He is a liar and a rogue.

A Violent Death

After he is proved a traitor, he is still not remorseful. When he is face to face with Edmond, he pulls out his pistol to shoot him. But Albert, Beauchamp pounce on him, to snatch the pistol from him. In the struggle the pistol goes off and the Count of Morcerf, shoots himself. Thus Monte Cristo is avenged.

The Countess of Morcerf:

Introduction

The Countess of Morcerf is a beautiful lady, with a bewitching personality. She is lie a breath of fresh air, in the play The Count’s Revenge. Twenty years ago, she lived in Marseilles and was bethroted to Edmond Dantes. She was then known as Mercedes, an extremely charming lady. She is adored and admired by all. She enchanted every one, who came into contact with her. So ravishingly beautiful was she.

A Victim Of A Conspiracy

It is her beauty, which resulted in her undoing, so to speak. While it was known to all and sundry, that she was to be married to Edmond Dantes A fisherman, named Fernand Mondego, also desired to marry her. Fernand Mondego, though a friend of Edmond Dantes, hatched a most diabolic plot, whereby he got Edmond condemned as a traitor and a spy to the exiled Buonaparte. Thus he eliminated Edmond from the scene and tricked Mercedes into marrying her.

Tricked Into Marrying Fernand Mondego

The cunning Fernand Mondego convinced Mercedes by giving her false evidence that Edmond Dantes had died in Prison. Then he gradually gains her confidence by sympathy with her. In this way, FernandMondego succeeds in marrying he. Although fate ill treats Mercedes, it goes to her credit that she remains loyal wife to her villainous husband, Fernand Mondego.

As A Loving Mother

She dearly loved her son, Albert. When she learns that Albert has challenged Monte Cristo, to a duel, she is deeply concerned, for the safety of her son. She does what any mother would have done, under the circumstances. She visits Monte Cristo, under the cover of darkness and begs of him, to spare the life of her only son. Monte Cristo yields to her request and promises not to kill Albert.

Mercedes Confides To Her Son

Then Mercedes, now known as the Countess of Morcerf, confides into her son, Albert and tells him how she had begged of Monte Cristo, to spare his life. She then requests him not to fight the duel. She then discloses to Albert the villainy of his father, the Count of Morcerf. How he got Monte Cristo labelled as a spy and got him imprisoned for twenty years, although he was absolutely innocent. How Morcerfcheated her into marrying him and how he ill treated and tortured her.

Duel Averted

Albert after learning about the misdeed of his father resolves not to fight the duel. Not only this he apologizes to Monte Cristo and becomes his friend. Thus, the Countess plays a very important role in averting the duel and saving Albert’s life.

A Woman of Great Qualities

The Countess is a woman of great qualities. She is kind and affectionate. She is devoted mother and loves her son dearly. As a wife too, she is faithful to the evil Morcerf, till she learns from Monte Cristo that she got cheated by Morcerf, into marrying him. The only blot on her otherwise chaste and pure character, is her desertion of her husband, towards the end of the play.

Albert:

Introduction

Albert is a young French nobleman. He is the son of the Count and the Countess of Morcerf. A man of great character, to whom honour and self-respect are of great value. He possesses a very pleasing personality and is very enthusiastic about life.

Simple And Noble

Albert is very simple by nature. He is unable to discern Monte Cristo’s intentions in becoming so thick with him. He has all the noble qualities, which a nobleman values. To him, his honour and his family’s good name are more dear to him, than life itself.

Sentimental Young Man

Albert is a very sentimental young man. When the Chamber of Deputies condemns his father, the Count of Morcerf as a traitor, he is very upset. He narrates to his mother, the Countess, the circumstances in which his father is disgraced. He felt so ashamed that he wanted to give up his name and to leave the country. He is so upset that he makes up his mind to take revenge of his father’s enemy.

A Man Of Honour

Albert is a man of honour. When he discovers that his own dear friend, Monte Cristo, is his father’s enemy, he challenges him, to a duel, for the sake of his family honour.

Wise And Bold

Although Albert is a very emotional young man yet he is wise and sensible t heed his mother’s counsel, to desist from fighting the duel. When his own mother convinces him of his father’s guilt he not only decides not to fight the duel, but also apologizes to him, for challenging him to a duel. He is bold and does not feel ashamed, in asking Monte Cristo’s forgiveness. He is brave and forth right and tells his father, about his guilt and that he should face his enemy.

A Dutiful Son

Albert is a dutiful and an affectionate son. He loves his mother and is very respectful to her. But his only blemish is that, he shows disrespect to his father, when he learns that his father is the villain of the piece. He refuses to embrace his father and accept his blessings. This is in very bad taste. As a sensible and dutiful son, he should have stood by his father. Apart from this, Albert impresses the readers with his strong sense of justice and honour and love for his country.

Beauchamp:

Introduction

Beauchamp is a very good friend of Albert’s. It is he who discovers the man, who brought disgraces on Albert’s father, the Count of Morcerf. He being an editor of a daily newspaper in Paris, is able to discover Albert’s father’s enemy. In fact the news of Morcerf’s disgrace is published in his newspaper.

As A Sincere Man

Beauchamp’s greatest quality is his sincerity to his friend. Albert greatly depended on him. That is why, he asks Beauchamp to discover the anonymous writer’s name. We learn later in the play that Beauchamp succeeds in discovering the name of the man who brings disgrace to Morcerf.

A Sensible Man

He is a very sensible man. Finding his friend, Albert, very disturbed on account of his father’s disgrace he does not disclose his father’s enemy’s name (Monte Cristo), at once. He mentally prepares Albert by telling him that the name would surprise him, that he would not believe that it could be his friend, Count of Monte Cristo.

A Cool Headed Man

Beauchamp is a cool headed man. He does not flare up or lose his head like Albert who loses his cool, when he learns that, it is his own dear friend, Monte Cristo, who is the cause of his family’s disgrace anddishonour. So in a fit of rage, he challenges him to fight a duel. He thought that this was the only way, he could wash away the blot on his honour.

As A Second Albert

Albert points Beauchamp as his second, in the duel to be fought. Albert has so much faith and reliance on him, that he made Beauchamp to make all the necessary arrangements for the duel. Tries To Dissuade Albert Beauchamp tries to dissuade Albert from fighting the duel. In his surprise, he says:

“MY DEAR ALBERT, YOU DO NOT MEAN TO CARRY MATTERS SO FAR.”

He stands by Albert, to the very last When the duel is averted, it is he, who breaks the news of his safety, to the Countess and Count of Morcerf. He is a real devoted friend – one on whom a fried could relay and depend.