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

Soranzo’s servant and confidant. Prior to the beginning of the play, Vasquez promised Soranzo’s father that he would serve his son faithfully. Vasquez’s loyalty is unquestionable even though his morals are less secure. Vasquez serves as a counterexample to the passionate characters of Giovanni, Annabella, and Soranzo, as he is perhaps the most logical of the play. With his level-headedness, he is able to see through Hippolita’s attempts to manipulate and seduce him. He convinces her that he is plotting with her against Soranzo, but in the end he kills her with her own poison. He advises Soranzo not to torture Annabella in order to find out who got her pregnant, and instead finds out the information from Puttana with verbal tact. Although he is not the most ethical character, he demonstrates that characters that are defined by duty and not by passion win the day, as he survives almost all the other characters.

Vasquez Quotes in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore

The 'Tis Pity She's a Whore quotes below are all either spoken by Vasquez or refer to Vasquez. 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.

I would not, for my wealth, my daughter’s love
Should cause the spilling of one drop of blood.

Related Characters: (speaker), , , ,

Related Symbols:

Page Number and Citation: 1.2.60-61

Explanation and Analysis:

Yet will I not forget what I should be,
And what I am: a husband. In that name
Is hid divinity. If I do find
That thou wilt yet be true, here I remit
All former faults, and take thee to my bosom.

Related Characters: (speaker), , ,

Page Number and Citation: 4.3.135-139.

Explanation and Analysis:

VASQUEZ: Let not your pity betray you till my coming back:
Think upon incest and cuckoldry.
SORANZO: Revenge is all the ambition I aspire;
To that I’ll climb or fall. My blood’s on fire!

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

Page Number and Citation: 5.2.22-25

Explanation and Analysis:

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

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

The second scene opens on Grimaldi and Vasquez in front of Florio’s house. Vasquez has his sword drawn, challenging Grimaldi to fight him.... (full context)

Florio, Donado, and Soranzo come upon Grimaldi and Vasquez as they fight. Florio asks for an explanation as to why they’re fighting and scolds... (full context)

...Puttana enter on the balcony of the house, unseen. Soranzo chimes in that he asked Vasquez to challenge Grimaldi because he and Grimaldi are rivals for Annabella’s love, and Grimaldi has... (full context)

...about what Grimaldi says about him. He says it is natural for losers to complain. Vasquez states that Grimaldi’s words were so villainous that they would make even a gentle person... (full context)

Vasquez interrupts Soranzo’s poetry, upsetting him. He asks what’s wrong, and Vasquez enters with Hippolita, who... (full context)

Female Sexuality vs. Social Expectation Theme Icon

...him of causing her husband’s death. She refuses to let Soranzo interject into her tirade. Vasquez tries to speak with her, saying that she is not within reason, but he doesn’t... (full context)

...sins in bringing her husband to his death even though he was a great man. Vasquez tells Soranzo that he is being unkind in not keeping his promise. Soranzo tells Vasquez... (full context)

Vasquez says that Soranzo is behaving like a scoundrel. Hippolita says that she will have vengeance... (full context)

...longer has an interest in Soranzo and goes on to try to flatter and seduce Vasquez with promises that he could be the master of her estate, her wealth, and herself.... (full context)

Florio, Giovanni, Annabella, Puttana, Soranzo, and Vasquez are all gathered. Florio says that although there have been many suitors and many offers... (full context)

Vasquez enters and finds Soranzo alone. Soranzo tells him of Annabella’s refusal of his advances, and... (full context)

Vasquez informs Hippolita that Soranzo and Annabella are going to be married in two days. Hippolita... (full context)

Vasquez reaffirms his commitment to Hippolita’s plot. She tells him she will be his even though... (full context)

A noise is heard offstage. Vasquez tells Soranzo that some young maidens of Parma wanted to perform a masque (a performance... (full context)

...to symbolize absolving Soranzo of the vows he once made to Hippolita. She calls to Vasquez to give her a cup of wine. Unbeknownst to her, he gives her a poisoned... (full context)

Hippolita is confused that Vasquez seems to be going against their plan. He reveals that he has given her a... (full context)

The guests remark at how vile Hippolita was. Soranzo thanks Vasquez for his loyalty and takes Annabella home. The Friar remarks to Giovanni that what has... (full context)

At that moment, Vasquez enters and sees Soranzo pointing his sword at Annabella. He steps between the two. Vasquez... (full context)

Soranzo affirms that Annabella should not live. Vasquez argues again that it is an unfair demand to ask Annabella to confess the “authors... (full context)

Soranzo turns to Vasquez, saying that he is hungry for revenge and will eventually make Annabella tell him who... (full context)

Vasquez tells the audience that he had suspected that there would be issues a while ago,... (full context)

While Vasquez muses on how to find out who impregnated Annabella, Puttana enters, crying. Vasquez sympathizes with... (full context)

Vasquez tells Puttana that all Soranzo wants is to find out who did it, and then... (full context)

As soon as Puttana says Giovanni’s name, Vasquez calls on the Banditti (a gang of Italian outlaws and robbers). He tells them to... (full context)

Vasquez is overjoyed at having found out this information, and that it is so damning. He... (full context)

Soranzo enters after Giovanni leaves. Soranzo tells Vasquez that he dealt with Annabella gently. Vasquez asks for privacy in order to tell him... (full context)

Vasquez enters, expressing his shock to Soranzo at what has come to pass: first Soranzo married... (full context)

...says that he will bid Annabella to dress in her bridal robes, and then asks Vasquez if the Banditti are ready to wait in ambush. Vasquez vaguely assures him that they... (full context)

Vasquez enters and invites Giovanni to Soranzo’s birthday feast, telling him that Florio will also attend.... (full context)

Soranzo, Vasquez, and the Banditti enter. Vasquez commands them to be merciless and bloody. He tells them... (full context)

Soranzo asks Vasquez if the guests will all come. Vasquez assures him they will and reminds Soranzo of... (full context)

Religious Piety vs. False Idols Theme Icon

...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 realizes Giovanni’s... (full context)

...the past nine months, but she became pregnant. Florio says that he is lying, and Vasquez goes to find Annabella. (full context)

Vasquez returns and confirms that Giovanni is telling the truth. Florio dies in shock. The Cardinal... (full context)

Vasquez says that he can no longer stand by and watch. He launches at Giovanni, and... (full context)

...barely alive, says he is pleased to see his wrongs avenged on Giovanni. He tells Vasquez not to let Giovanni live, and then dies. Giovanni thanks Vasquez for stabbing him, saying... (full context)

Donado and the Cardinal worry that they will be murdered as well. Vasquez assures them that he has no intention of killing them, as he has now paid... (full context)

The Cardinal asks if anyone else was complicit in this incest. Vasquez tells the Cardinal of Puttana, and says that he blinded her and kept her alive... (full context)