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Act 4, Scene 7
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Every Man in His Humour, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Language
Human Folly
Authenticity
Parenthood
Summary
Analysis
Back at Kitely’s house, Wellbred explains to Kitely and Dame Kitely that anger is in Downright’s nature—and that there was “no harm done” in the earlier altercation. Dame Kitely says that “harm might have come of it”—Wellbred points out that harm could come from anything, suggesting flippantly that she might have poisoned Kitely’s wine.
Kitely, in a fit of paranoia, takes Wellbred’s suggestion to heart and says he feels “ill.” Wellbred, Dame Kitely and Bridget all tell Kitely to pull himself together.
Kitely’s mind is confused and suggestible, making him take Wellbred’s throwaway words far too literally.
Active
Themes
Brainworm comes in, now dressed as Roger Formal. He tells Kitely that his master, Justice Clement, desires to speak with him as soon as possible. Kitely goes to look for Cash and Cob, whom he wants to act as “sentinels” while he goes to Justice Clement’s.
Active
Themes
Brainworm explains to Wellbred how he managed to procure Roger Formal’s clothes: he got the other man drunk and stole them, leaving Formal in a drunken stupor. Wellbred is impressed. He tells Brainworm to return to Edward and tell him to meet him at “the Tower,” where Wellbred has arranged for him to marry Bridget Kitely. Brainworm leaves.
Active
Themes
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Kitely comes in with Cash, instructing him to stay at the house, keep note of any visitors, and interrupt any interactions they might try to have with Dame Kitely. He leaves again, looking for Cob.
Active
Themes
Dame Kitely wonders why Kitely is looking for Cob so eagerly. Wellbred mischievously implies that Kitely is interested in Cob’s wife, Tib, whom he says is a “bawd.” Now jealous too, she drags Cash off to look for Kitely with her.
Active
Themes
Wellbred tries to convince Bridget to marry Edward. She is clearly keen on the idea, but feels that Wellbred is acting too much like “an old knight-adventurer’s servant.” Just then, Kitely returns, having realized that Justice Clement had not called for him as Brainworm said. Bridget tells him that Dame Kitely has gone to Cob’s house with Cash; Kitely heads there in a fit of jealousy.
Active
Themes
