References to Pharamond in The Female Quixote
Book III Chapter V
Miss Glanville, not having so much Delicacy as her Brother, could not help exulting a little upon this Occasion.
After the terrible Fright you have been in, Madam, said she, upon Sir George's Account, I wonder you do not rather think it is his Ghost than himself, that is come to see us.
There is no Question, but it is himself that is come, said Arabella, (who had already reconciled this Visit to her first Thoughts of him;) and it is, haply, to execute his fatal Design in my Presence, that has brought him here; and, like the unfortunate Agilmond, he means to convince me of his Fidelity and Love, by falling upon his Sword before my Eyes.
Bless me, Madam, said Miss Glanville, what horrid Things come into your Head! I vow you terrify me out of my Wits, to hear you.
There is no Occasion for your Fears, interrupted Arabella: Since we already suspect his Designs, it will be very easy to prevent them: Had the Princess of the Sarmatians known the fatal Intentions of her despairing Lover, doubtless, she would have used some Precautions to hinder him from executing them; for want of which, she saw the miserable Agilmond weltering in his Blood at her Feet; and with Reason accused herself of being the Cause of so deplorable a Spectacle (194).
In this scene, Arabella thinks that Sir George is coming to kill himself in front of her, after he sent her a letter declaring his feelings and angering her, as King Agilmond did in front of Gilismene. In Pharamond, Gilismene loves Agilmond, but her mind is "poison[ed] against him," and he "throws himself upon his sword" in her presence, however, he survives. Arabella does not worry though, because she believes her command will keep him from performing this at, as she is sure Gilsmene would have done had she known the intentions of Agilmond (Lennox 403).
Book VII: Chapter X
That Lady at first positively refus'd; alleging in Excuse, That she was so extremely interested in the Fate of the Princess Melisintha, whose Story she was reading, that she could not stir till she had finish'd it.
That poor Princess, continu'd she, is at present in a most terrible Situation. She has just set Fire to the Palace, in order to avoid the Embraces of a King who forc'd her to marry him. I am in Pain to know how she escapes the Flames.
Pshaw, interrupted Miss Glanville, let her perish there, if she will: Don't let her hinder our Walk.
Who is it you doom with so much Cruelty to perish, said Arabella, closing the Book, and looking stedfastly on her Cousin? Is it the beautiful Melisintha, that Princess, whose Fortitude and Patience have justly render'd her the Admiration of the whole World? That Princess, descended from a Race of Heroes, whose heroick Virtues all glow'd in her own beauteous Breast; that Princess, who, when taken Captive with the King her Father, bore her Imprisonment and Chains with a marvellous Constancy; and who, when she had enslaved her Conqueror, and given Fetters to the Prince who held her Father and herself in Bonds, nobly refus'd the Diadem he proffer'd her, and devoted herself to Destruction, in order to punish the Enemy of her House. I am not able to relate the rest of her History, seeing I have read no further myself; but if you will be pleased to sit down and listen to me while I read what remains, I am persuaded you will find new Cause to love and admire this amiable Princess (281).
In this scene, Arabella seems to be in the middle of reading Pharamond, specifically the story of Melisintha, who lights her room on fire in order to avoid marriage, and is then rescued by her father, who kills her husband to be. Melisintha is upheld as model woman by Arabella, clearly showing the reader how Arabella feels about forced marriage and her own detirmination to avoid such a situation for herself. Melisintha chooses death and destruction over a marriage to someone who is not worthy, and Arabella feels she has the "admiration of the whole world."
Chapter XIII
Well, Madam, said Miss Glanville when she had read this Epistle, I fancy you need not pronounce a Sentence of Banishment upon poor Mr. Tinsel; he seems to be quite innocent of the Offence your Ladyship suspects him of.
Why, really, return'd Arabella, blushing with extreme Confusion at this second Disappointment, I am greatly perplex'd to know how I ought to act on this Occasion. I am much in the same Situation with the Princess Serena. For you must know, this Princess—Here Lucy entering, inform'd the Ladies Dinner was serv'd—I shall defer till another Opportunity, said Arabella, upon this Interruption, the Relation of the Princess Serena's Adventures; which you will find, added she, in a low Voice, bears a very great Resemblance to mine (296).
As the notes in the text state, Arabella misremembers the story of Serena, which does not actually resemble her situation very much (Lennox 410). It is interesting to consider whether this mistake was made by Lennox, who is obviously quite familiar with these works, or whether it was made by Arabella, meaning whether Lennox had Arabella makes this mistake intentionally. If it is Lennox's mistake, the scene works similarly to those referenced above. If it is Arabella's, the scene becomes a interesting example of how Arabella appropriates these texts to fit in with the situations she find herself dealing with and the ways that she need to connect with the romances in order to make her world meaningful.
Book VIII: Chapter II
Pray, Niece, said Sir Charles, what has Mr. Selvin done to disoblige you? Sir, reply'd Arabella, Mr. Selvin's Offence can admit of no other Reparation than that which I requir'd of him, which was a voluntary Banishment from my Presence: And in this, pursu'd she, I am guilty of no more Severity to you, than the Princess Udosia was to the unfortunate Thrasimedes. For the Passion of this Prince having come to her Knowledge, notwithstanding the Pains he took to conceal it, this fair and wise Princess thought it not enough to forbid his speaking to her, but also banish'd him from her Presence; laying a peremptory Command upon him, never to appear before her again till he was perfectly cur'd of that unhappy Love he had entertain'd for her—Imitate therefore the meritorious Obedience of this poor Prince, and if that Passion you profess for me—(312).
Here Arabella references the story of Eudoxia (Udosia) and Thrasimond (not Thrasimedes), in which Thrasimond falls in love with Eudoxia, who banishes him form her until he was cured of his feelings. Eventually he dies of grief (Lennox, 312). The note to this text calls this one of Arabella's more "overweening moments," but similarly here as in other moments Arabella asserts the importance of her role and her sense of her own authority, even if it is at time misguided. More than that, we see that she does not wish harm to these men, even though she enjoys her (perceived) role in their life. Finally, as misguided as it may seem, Arabella again uses these texts as evidence and what she sees as logical arguments for her actions, which she presents to her uncle to argue for the necessity of her actions.
Miss Glanville, not having so much Delicacy as her Brother, could not help exulting a little upon this Occasion.
After the terrible Fright you have been in, Madam, said she, upon Sir George's Account, I wonder you do not rather think it is his Ghost than himself, that is come to see us.
There is no Question, but it is himself that is come, said Arabella, (who had already reconciled this Visit to her first Thoughts of him;) and it is, haply, to execute his fatal Design in my Presence, that has brought him here; and, like the unfortunate Agilmond, he means to convince me of his Fidelity and Love, by falling upon his Sword before my Eyes.
Bless me, Madam, said Miss Glanville, what horrid Things come into your Head! I vow you terrify me out of my Wits, to hear you.
There is no Occasion for your Fears, interrupted Arabella: Since we already suspect his Designs, it will be very easy to prevent them: Had the Princess of the Sarmatians known the fatal Intentions of her despairing Lover, doubtless, she would have used some Precautions to hinder him from executing them; for want of which, she saw the miserable Agilmond weltering in his Blood at her Feet; and with Reason accused herself of being the Cause of so deplorable a Spectacle (194).
In this scene, Arabella thinks that Sir George is coming to kill himself in front of her, after he sent her a letter declaring his feelings and angering her, as King Agilmond did in front of Gilismene. In Pharamond, Gilismene loves Agilmond, but her mind is "poison[ed] against him," and he "throws himself upon his sword" in her presence, however, he survives. Arabella does not worry though, because she believes her command will keep him from performing this at, as she is sure Gilsmene would have done had she known the intentions of Agilmond (Lennox 403).
Book VII: Chapter X
That Lady at first positively refus'd; alleging in Excuse, That she was so extremely interested in the Fate of the Princess Melisintha, whose Story she was reading, that she could not stir till she had finish'd it.
That poor Princess, continu'd she, is at present in a most terrible Situation. She has just set Fire to the Palace, in order to avoid the Embraces of a King who forc'd her to marry him. I am in Pain to know how she escapes the Flames.
Pshaw, interrupted Miss Glanville, let her perish there, if she will: Don't let her hinder our Walk.
Who is it you doom with so much Cruelty to perish, said Arabella, closing the Book, and looking stedfastly on her Cousin? Is it the beautiful Melisintha, that Princess, whose Fortitude and Patience have justly render'd her the Admiration of the whole World? That Princess, descended from a Race of Heroes, whose heroick Virtues all glow'd in her own beauteous Breast; that Princess, who, when taken Captive with the King her Father, bore her Imprisonment and Chains with a marvellous Constancy; and who, when she had enslaved her Conqueror, and given Fetters to the Prince who held her Father and herself in Bonds, nobly refus'd the Diadem he proffer'd her, and devoted herself to Destruction, in order to punish the Enemy of her House. I am not able to relate the rest of her History, seeing I have read no further myself; but if you will be pleased to sit down and listen to me while I read what remains, I am persuaded you will find new Cause to love and admire this amiable Princess (281).
In this scene, Arabella seems to be in the middle of reading Pharamond, specifically the story of Melisintha, who lights her room on fire in order to avoid marriage, and is then rescued by her father, who kills her husband to be. Melisintha is upheld as model woman by Arabella, clearly showing the reader how Arabella feels about forced marriage and her own detirmination to avoid such a situation for herself. Melisintha chooses death and destruction over a marriage to someone who is not worthy, and Arabella feels she has the "admiration of the whole world."
Chapter XIII
Well, Madam, said Miss Glanville when she had read this Epistle, I fancy you need not pronounce a Sentence of Banishment upon poor Mr. Tinsel; he seems to be quite innocent of the Offence your Ladyship suspects him of.
Why, really, return'd Arabella, blushing with extreme Confusion at this second Disappointment, I am greatly perplex'd to know how I ought to act on this Occasion. I am much in the same Situation with the Princess Serena. For you must know, this Princess—Here Lucy entering, inform'd the Ladies Dinner was serv'd—I shall defer till another Opportunity, said Arabella, upon this Interruption, the Relation of the Princess Serena's Adventures; which you will find, added she, in a low Voice, bears a very great Resemblance to mine (296).
As the notes in the text state, Arabella misremembers the story of Serena, which does not actually resemble her situation very much (Lennox 410). It is interesting to consider whether this mistake was made by Lennox, who is obviously quite familiar with these works, or whether it was made by Arabella, meaning whether Lennox had Arabella makes this mistake intentionally. If it is Lennox's mistake, the scene works similarly to those referenced above. If it is Arabella's, the scene becomes a interesting example of how Arabella appropriates these texts to fit in with the situations she find herself dealing with and the ways that she need to connect with the romances in order to make her world meaningful.
Book VIII: Chapter II
Pray, Niece, said Sir Charles, what has Mr. Selvin done to disoblige you? Sir, reply'd Arabella, Mr. Selvin's Offence can admit of no other Reparation than that which I requir'd of him, which was a voluntary Banishment from my Presence: And in this, pursu'd she, I am guilty of no more Severity to you, than the Princess Udosia was to the unfortunate Thrasimedes. For the Passion of this Prince having come to her Knowledge, notwithstanding the Pains he took to conceal it, this fair and wise Princess thought it not enough to forbid his speaking to her, but also banish'd him from her Presence; laying a peremptory Command upon him, never to appear before her again till he was perfectly cur'd of that unhappy Love he had entertain'd for her—Imitate therefore the meritorious Obedience of this poor Prince, and if that Passion you profess for me—(312).
Here Arabella references the story of Eudoxia (Udosia) and Thrasimond (not Thrasimedes), in which Thrasimond falls in love with Eudoxia, who banishes him form her until he was cured of his feelings. Eventually he dies of grief (Lennox, 312). The note to this text calls this one of Arabella's more "overweening moments," but similarly here as in other moments Arabella asserts the importance of her role and her sense of her own authority, even if it is at time misguided. More than that, we see that she does not wish harm to these men, even though she enjoys her (perceived) role in their life. Finally, as misguided as it may seem, Arabella again uses these texts as evidence and what she sees as logical arguments for her actions, which she presents to her uncle to argue for the necessity of her actions.
