Glass of Water

I wouldn't say who is THE protagonist, but rather, who are the PROTAGONISTS? In my own personal opinion, I would say that Abigail and Masham are the two main protagonists in this play. The play mainly focuses on the struggle of Abigail and Masham to be together and get married, which is why I would choose them as the main protagonists.

When one would first being to read the play, they would think to themselves, “Oh, this must be about the hate-war thing going on between Duchess and Bolingbroke.” I thought that too at first, but then I thought to really think about all the details. The Duchess and The Queen both are trying to advance Masham, but on the other hand, The Queen and Boling broke both are trying to advance Abigail as well. In addition to this, you also have a love-plot between Masham and Abigail. Therefore, I would consider Abigail and Masham the main protagonist since almost everything happening within the story line and plot is about - or even just involves - the both of them.

 I also feel like these two characters are who Scribe wants us to root for; mainly for simple reasons. In this play, we have the usual young characters that are in love, but they have to fight through greatly opposing forces to finally be together. This romantic idea/ situation will (almost) always encourage the audience – or reader- to root for their happiness. It’s a daydream most people want or hope to experience, basically as a way of say their love for another person can endure and rise above any obstacle. On a side note, why would we want to root for a spineless queen, gambler of a man, or a woman that’s trying to encourage a great war? I could see the twist reasoning behind it, but as a general audience, we tend to go for those who are out for the “light” emotions rather than the “dark”.