The hunting trip
During the wedding celebrations, Francis and Charles go hunting and set their bets on falcons. Frances loses the bet but refuses to admit it, resulting in a fight between the two men. The imagery of this hunting trip is crucial in setting up the dynamics between the two characters in the play, who are often in conflict with each other. Ultimately, Charles gives Susan to Francis as a gift, to repay his debts.
Guilt
Due to her infidelities, Anne feels incredibly guilty and remorseful, which makes us feel sympathy for her as a character. She becomes self-destructive and starves herself at the end of the novel as punishment. The imagery of self-starvation is an allusion to Medieval views about female fasting as representing obedience and purity, as it is a rejection of gluttony. Anne’s self-starvation leads to her death, which she sees as an escape from her insufferable guilt.
Anne also describes herself as only deserving to sleep in a grave and sit on the bare earth. This shows her remorse and lack of respect for herself after she cheated on Frankford.
The Wedding
At the beginning of the text, Frankford and Anne celebrate their marriage together. They are surrounded by friends and family and everyone comments on how beautiful Anne looks. She is called “a perfect wife already, meek and patient.” Despite the success of the marriage and promises for a happy future, it doesn’t work out entirely to plan, as Anne cheats on Frankford with his best friend.
