Richardetto Character Analysis in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore

Hippolita’s husband who is presumed dead, Richardetto spends most of the play disguised as a doctor. Although he is also bent on getting revenge (against Hippolita for her infidelity, and against Soranzo for cuckolding him), he uses the passions of others as a conduit for his own revenge, cleverly getting them to unwittingly do his bidding. He is glad to see Hippolita poisoned by Vasquez, and gives Grimaldi a poisoned dagger to kill Soranzo, though this plot ultimately fails. He reveals himself only after Soranzo is killed at the end of the play, when he has wtinessed “the end of lust and pride.” His ability to control his anger saves him from the bloodiest conflicts of the play, and he emerges with his life intact.

Richardetto Quotes in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore

The 'Tis Pity She's a Whore quotes below are all either spoken by Richardetto or refer to Richardetto. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Penguin Publishers edition of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore published in 2014.

RICHARDETTO: Her sickness is a fullness of her blood –
You understand me?
FLORIO: I do – you counsel well –
And once within these few days will so order’t
She shall be married, ere she know the time.

Related Characters: (speaker), (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 3.4.8-11

Explanation and Analysis:

RICHARDETTO: Time runs apace.
BERGETTO: Time’s a blockhead. [Kisses her.]
RICHARDETTO: Be ruled! When we have done what’s fit to do,
Then you may kiss your fill, and bed her too.

Related Characters: (speaker), (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 3.5.48-51

Explanation and Analysis:

Your chaste and single life shall crown your birth:
Who dies a virgin lives a saint on earth.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 4.2.28-27

Explanation and Analysis:

Richardetto Character Timeline in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore

The timeline below shows where the character Richardetto appears in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...be working at her needlework. He commends her on her diligence as he enters with Richardetto (disguised as a doctor) and Philotis. He says that he has called the doctor because... (full context)

Female Sexuality vs. Social Expectation Theme Icon

Richardetto explains that many people have spoken of Annabella’s virtue and beauty, and that he has... (full context)

Richardetto (who is still disguised as a doctor) and Philotis enter. Richardetto laments to his niece... (full context)

Richardetto goes on to explain how he wants to find out how extensive and shameful his... (full context)

Richardetto asks Philotis if she knows whether the marriage plans between Annabella and Soranzo have progressed.... (full context)

At that moment, Grimaldi enters. He tells Richardetto that he has heard of his skill and asks to speak with him in private.... (full context)

Richardetto says that, out of duty towards the Cardinal (who is very close with Grimaldi), he... (full context)

...a wall. Bergetto called the man a rogue, and the man hit him. A doctor (Richardetto) came over to bandage him up, accompanied by a young woman (Philotis) with whom Bergetto... (full context)

...promised to marry him, and he has already gotten consent from her uncle, the doctor (Richardetto). (full context)

Florio and Richardetto (still disguised as a doctor) enter. Florio asks how the doctor finds Annabella, and Richardetto... (full context)

...plot is not the most virtuous, but says that when merit cannot win, cunning must. Richardetto (still disguised as a doctor) enters and tells Grimaldi that Annabella and Soranzo are going... (full context)

Richardetto tells Grimaldi to keep watch for the night and gives Grimaldi the poison. He tells... (full context)

Philotis enters. Richardetto asks her if she has made up her mind about marrying Bergetto. She says she... (full context)

...becomes preoccupied with kissing Philotis, describing how he has a “monstrous swelling” around his stomach. Richardetto says they should hurry, and that he’ll have plenty of chances to kiss her as... (full context)

...for Soranzo. However, it is Bergetto and Philotis, disguised, who pass him next, followed by Richardetto and Poggio. Grimaldi mistakes Bergetto for Soranzo and stabs him, then flees. Bergetto cries out... (full context)

Richardetto commands the officers to find Bergetto’s murderer, and they leave. Richardetto tries to stop Bergetto’s... (full context)

Florio, Donado, Richardetto, Poggio, and the officers enter, discussing Bergetto’s death. Florio urges Donado to seek justice. Richardetto... (full context)

Religious Piety vs. False Idols Theme Icon

Richardetto says the Cardinal is noble and will bring the man to justice. Poggio knocks on... (full context)

The guests at the wedding, including Richardetto, exclaim that there has been justice. As Hippolita succumbs to the poison, she curses Annabella’s... (full context)

Richardetto and Philotis enter. Richardetto remarks that Hippolita died too soon, because he was not able... (full context)

Richardetto explains that already the marriage between Annabella and Soranzo is souring, as there are rumors... (full context)

...go to Annabella’s chamber and Giovanni exits to get her. The Cardinal, Florio, Donado, and Richardetto enter. Soranzo greets each of them and invites them in. (full context)

The play jumps back to Soranzo’s birthday feast, where the Cardinal, Florio, Donado, Soranzo, Richardetto, and Vasquez are taking their places at the table. They begin to eat, and Soranzo... (full context)

...that all the gold and jewels be confiscated from the bodies for the Pope’s use. Richardetto interjects to say that he can no longer hide his identity, removing his disguise at... (full context)