Waitwell is Mirabell’s hardworking servant who Mirabell allows to marry Foible. Newly married, he is eager to sleep with his wife throughout the play. In fact, it is one of his many motivators to comply with Mirabell’s plan. Though not as cunning as his wife, he does put forth a good effort at trying to deceive Wishfort into thinking that he truly is a gentleman named Sir Rowland.
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Waitwell Character Timeline in The Way of the World
The timeline below shows where the character Waitwell appears in The Way of the World. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 2
...also gives Mirabell the marriage certificate and tells him that the clothes Mirabell ordered for Waitwell, Mirabell’s manservant, are ready. Before the footman departs, Mirabell gives him further instruction for the...
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Act 2, Scene 4
...and asks him whom he has chosen to play the role of his uncle, Sir Rowland, the same relation that Witwoud described as estranged from Mirabell. Mirabell reveals that Waitwell, his...
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Mirabell explains that he decided to have the servants get married because he feared that Waitwell might try to betray him. Mirabell worried that Wishfort might try to marry his “uncle”...
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Mrs. Fainall checks whether he would release her mother from the marriage by producing Waitwell’s marriage certificate to Foible, if Wishfort proceeded to marry Sir Rowland/Waitwell.
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Act 2, Scene 7
Suddenly, he sees his “pair of turtles,” the newly married Foible and Waitwell. He calls out, teasing them by asking if they are still celebrating Valentine’s Day.
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Act 2, Scene 8
It is now one o’ clock and Waitwell and Foible have arrived at Rosamond’s pond to meet Mirabell. Mirabell jokes that Waitwell seems...
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Waitwell apologizes. He admits that he and his new bride have “been solacing in lawful delights”...
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...her lady, Wishfort, without telling her where she was going or what she was doing. Waitwell affirms that his wife did try to get back to Wishfort’s but that it’s his...
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...tells Mirabell that she promised to bring Wishfort a picture of Mirabell’s (fake) uncle, Sir Rowland. She also plans on lying to Wishfort that, after seeing her picture, Sir Rowland was...
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...as a reward gives her some money. Foible thanks him, calling herself his “humble servant.” Waitwell turns to his wife and begins to ask her to give it to him.
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Mirabell steps in and tells Waitwell to back off. The money is only for Foible, he warns. He tells her to...
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Act 2, Scene 9
Mirabell and Waitwell are left standing near the pond. Waitwell jokes that Foible forgot to call him by...
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Act 3, Scene 5
...whether she’s told Mirabell anything. Foible lies, saying that she’s given Wishfort’s picture to Sir Rowland, who fell immediately in love with her. Foible promises Wishfort that she hasn’t betrayed her...
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...Mirabell by poisoning his wine. Foible proposes that Wishfort instead “starve him” by marrying Sir Rowland, which will disinherit Mirabell. Foible adds that Mirabell still thinks that Wishfort’s plan is to...
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Foible also informs Wishfort that Rowland longs to see her, but Wishfort can’t stop talking about her revenge against Mirabell. Her...
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Wishfort wonders how Rowland will try to court her. Will he be obvious about his love or play it...
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...one that her niece, Millamant, only “affects.” She begs Foible to tell her more about Rowland, particularly whether he is handsome. She is happy to hear that he is a “brisk”...
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Act 3, Scene 6
...Millamant. Mrs. Fainall reveals that she knows about Mirabell’s entire plan, including Foible’s marriage to Waitwell that very morning.
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...the room, Foible asks Mrs. Fainall to give Mirabell an update about Wishfort’s interest in Rowland and that Marwood seems to be watching them. Mrs. Fainall exits with Foible, taking the...
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Act 4, Scene 12
Wishfort rejoins Waitwell, who is disguised as Sir Rowland, in her dressing room. She apologizes for her absence...
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When Wishfort tells him about all the ways that Mirabell has wronged her, Waitwell pretends to be angered by this news and vows to kill Mirabell. Wishfort urges him...
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Rowland quickly agrees to follow her plan instead. Wishfort, happy they have decided to take this...
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Act 4, Scene 14
Alone with his wife, Waitwell turns to Foible and complains about his job playing Sir Rowland. He begs her for...
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Act 4, Scene 15
...the penmanship as Marwood’s and knows that it can contain nothing good. She whispers to Waitwell to take it from Wishfort. Sir Roland exclaims that he recognizes the handwriting and that...
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She opens the anonymous letter and begins to read its contents to Rowland. She reads that Rowland is not a real person and is shocked. Though Foible exclaims...
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...the news earlier because she didn’t want to upset her while she was with Sir Rowland. Sir Rowland cuts off the dialogue between the women. He vows to kills Mirabell, then...
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Act 5, Scene 1
...have destroyed her honor by marrying her to Mirabell’s servant. Foible tries to explain that Waitwell was already married to her and that she would never have allowed the deception to...
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Act 5, Scene 2
...sent to prison. Mrs. Fainall informs her that Mirabell has gone to post bond for Waitwell’s release. She recognizes Marwood and Fainall’s hand in this turn of events. Foible tells Mrs....
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Act 5, Scene 11
...gun. Mirabell assures her that there are more surprises for her and asks permission for Waitwell, Petulant, and Witwoud to enter.
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Act 5, Scene 12
When Waitwell enters the room carrying a box of papers, Wishfort asks him what he wants. Waitwell...
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