In the first scene of the play, Jasperino is surprised by his friend Alsemero’s desire to stay longer in the city of Alicante in Spain. Because Alsemero has never before expressed interest in women, Jasperino dismisses this possibility and alludes to the Stoics, a school of philosophy in Ancient Greece:
JASPERINO
And have you changed your orisons?ALSEMERO : No, friend, I keep the same church, same devotion.
JASPERINO : Lover I’m sure y’are none, the Stoic
Was found in you long ago; your mother
Nor best friends, who have set snares of beauty – ay,
And choice ones too – could never trap you that way.
What might be the cause?ALSEMERO : Lord, how violent
Thou art; I was but meditating of
Somewhat I heard within the temple.
After confirming that Alsemero has not abandoned his plans to gain wealth at sea, Jasperino speculates as to the cause of his friend’s interest in Alicante. He confidently asserts that Alsemero has not taken on a “Lover,” as he is a “Stoic,” who has not responded to previous attempts by others to seduce him. Here, Jasperino alludes to the “Stoic” school of philosophy, which emphasized the importance of controlling one’s emotions and desires and acting in a rational manner. In the Renaissance period, the Stoics were often invoked to imply that a person is not ruled by their passions. Jasperino, then, is in fact wrong about his companion, who has fallen in love with Beatrice while attending a church service.
