The Other Girl: A Spanish Comedy of Errors
The Other Girl: A Spanish Comedy of Errors
Act One
Scene I
Don Diego and Simon wait at the inn for Irene and Doña Paquita. Don Diego leaves her room and speaks with Simon. He shares a secret with Simon, who initially misunderstands the plan to marry Don Diego to the sixteen-year-old Doña Paquita. Simon believes the plan involves Don Diego’s nephew, Don Carlos. Don Diego’s true intention is to marry Doña Paquita himself, despite his age (fifty-nine).
Scene II
Doña Paquita arrives with her mother, Doña Irene. Doña Irene bids farewell to her daughter, who is leaving for a convent. Doña Paquita speaks fondly of the nuns and her aunt’s grief.
Scene III
Doña Irene informs Don Diego that the family embraces the marriage. Doña Paquita accepts the arrangement due to her upbringing. Doña Paquita shows some reluctance during the conversation.
This leads to a discussion about Doña Irene’s family, and Doña Paquita’s desire to leave, pending her mother’s permission. She bids farewell with a kiss and courtesy to Don Diego.
Scene IV
Don Diego expresses interest in Doña Paquita’s opinion, but Doña Irene believes it’s unnecessary given her upbringing. Doña Irene recounts her experiences with marriage, mentioning her twenty-two children from three marriages and a previous husband who died seven months after their wedding.
Scene V
Simon announces Don Diego’s arrival. He gives Don Diego his stick and hat as he prepares for a walk. Don Diego and Doña Irene plan to leave at six in the morning.
Scene VI
Doña Irene asks Rita about chores, including feeding the cowbird and making beds. Doña Irene comments on Rita’s laziness regarding letter writing. Rita explains the mail schedule.
Scene VII
Calamocha arrives, complaining about the inn’s room three, citing bugs and the difficulty in finding it due to the horses.
Scene VIII
Calamocha speaks with Rita. They discuss their arrival, the letter regarding Doña Paquita’s departure from Zaragoza to Guadalajara, and the subsequent search for her. Rita explains Doña Irene’s letters announcing the marriage and Doña Paquita’s sadness, leading to her decision to wait for Calamocha’s master. Calamocha leaves and enters Don Carlos’s room.
Scene IX
Doña Paquita and Rita chat. Doña Paquita cries over her impending marriage to Don Diego. Rita mentions Don Felix, a former love interest. Rita reveals that Don Felix is already in Alcalá after receiving Doña Paquita’s letter. Rita promises to create a distraction upon Don Felix’s arrival. Rita exits, and Doña Paquita enters Doña Irene’s room.
Act Two
Scene I
Doña Francisca eagerly awaits her lover, expressing her understanding of love despite his youth.
Scene II
Doña Francisca speaks with her mother, who explains the benefits of marrying Don Diego. Doña Irene complains about her daughter’s lack of enthusiasm.
Scene III
Rita arrives with candles. Doña Irene requests candles for her room and a letter for Simon. Doña Paquita inquires about Felix’s arrival. Doña Irene requests a nightingale be hung, and expresses her lack of sleep.
Scene IV
Doña Irene praises Don Diego, while Doña Paquita shows indifference to his wealth. Doña Irene suggests Doña Paquita’s convent stay influenced her to become a nun. Doña Paquita promises obedience.
Scene V
Don Diego arrives, explaining his lateness. He seeks Doña Paquita’s opinion, but Doña Irene insists on her daughter’s obedience. Don Diego advocates for parental guidance rather than commands. Doña Paquita’s responses are mediated by her mother. Doña Irene sends Doña Paquita to her room, but she is stopped by Rita.
Scene VI
Rita informs Doña Francisca of Felix’s arrival. Doña Paquita asks for advice, and Rita urges haste. Rita leaves and enters Doña Irene’s room.
Scene VII
Don Carlos arrives. Doña Francisca asks him to postpone the wedding, but Doña Paquita plans for them to leave for Madrid the next morning. Don Carlos agrees to follow, but Doña Francisca asks him to delay the marriage to avoid upsetting her mother. Don Carlos promises his devotion.
Scene VIII
Rita informs Doña Irene that Doña Paquita is asking for her. Don Carlos mentions a morning appointment and bids farewell to Doña Paquita. Doña Francisca enters her mother’s bedroom.
Scene IX
Calamocha tells Don Carlos about dinner preparations. Rita enters, offers soup, and leaves. Calamocha speaks with Don Carlos, instructing him on how to deceive Simon.
Scene X
Simon enters. Calamocha and Don Carlos greet him, questioning him about his love interest. Simon answers evasively.
Scene XI
Don Carlos learns of his uncle’s engagement to Doña Paquita. Don Diego questions his nephew’s presence, and Don Carlos lies about his visit to Madrid. Don Diego orders Don Carlos to leave the inn and instructs Simon to pay their expenses.
Scene XII
Don Diego gives his nephew money for the trip. He instructs Don Carlos on when to return to Zaragoza. Don Carlos kisses his uncle’s hand and departs.
Scene XIII
Don Diego reflects on his nephew’s departure, acknowledging the difference between written and in-person communication. He regrets not revealing the marriage to avoid rivalry, expressing affection for his nephew.
Scene XIV
Doña Francisca and Rita leave Doña Irene’s room, believing it empty. Doña Francisca expresses concern about disappointing Don Diego. Rita prepares Doña Irene’s room.
Scene XV
Simon sees Doña Paquita and discusses the recent visitors. Doña Paquita mentions a lieutenant colonel and his assistant.
Scene XVI
Rita learns of Don Carlos’s departure. She questions his deception and his route. She checks Don Carlos’s room and finds no luggage. Doña Paquita is upset and confused by Don Carlos’s actions.
Act Three
Scene I
Don Diego cannot sleep and enters Simon’s room. They hear a serenade and realize it is for Doña Francisca. Simon suggests intervening, but Don Diego declines.
Doña Francisca and Rita leave their rooms and approach the window. Simon notices the open door and they retreat.
Scene II
Doña Paquita discovers her lover and looks out the window. Doña Francisca asks about a dropped letter. They search for it unsuccessfully. Felix urges Doña Paquita to explain her actions.
Simon drops a nightingale cage, alerting Rita and Doña Paquita. They enter Doña Francisca’s room, and Rita stumbles upon Simon.
Scene III
Don Diego asks Simon to find the letter. Simon finds it and reveals Doña Paquita’s affair. Don Diego orders Simon to turn on a light.
Scene IV
Don Diego questions who to blame. He feels disappointed, jealous, embarrassed, and angry, desiring revenge. He hears a noise in Doña Francisca’s room and leaves.
Scene V
Rita enters, searching for the letter. Simon arrives with a light. Don Diego questions Rita’s actions. Rita explains hearing a noise and mentions a cat. Don Diego and Simon enter Doña Paquita’s room.
Scene VI
Rita asks Doña Paquita about the letter. Doña Francisca advises against searching, fearing further misery. Doña Paquita explains Don Carlos’s reasons for leaving. Doña Francisca considers him a traitor. Rita looks into Don Diego’s room.
Scene VII
Don Diego asks Simon to saddle the horse. He speaks with Doña Paquita, asking if she has contacted her mother.
Scene VIII
Don Diego asks Doña Francisca about other lovers. Doña Paquita denies having any and states she would not marry anyone if given a choice. She expresses her intention to obey her mother and be an honest woman. Don Diego criticizes the insincerity of women who obey their mothers without expressing their feelings. He asks Doña Paquita to persuade her mother.
Doña Francisca enters her mother’s room.
Scene IX
Simon informs Don Diego that Don Carlos and Doña Paquita were leaving, but were stopped and returned upon Don Diego’s orders. Don Diego sends Simon to be alert.
Scene X
Don Carlos arrives. Don Diego questions him about meeting Doña Paquita. Don Carlos explains their meeting in Guadalajara, his assumed identity as Don Felix, and their correspondence. He reveals Doña Paquita’s forced marriage and his arrival in Alcalá. Don Carlos pleads for his uncle’s help to stop the wedding.
Don Carlos mentions Doña Paquita’s obedience to her mother, but her love for him. Don Diego is angered. Don Carlos is about to leave, but his uncle stops him.
Scene XI
Doña Irene speaks with Don Diego while Doña Paquita and Rita gather clothing. Don Diego reveals his daughter’s year-long affair. Doña Irene is shocked and believes Don Diego no longer loves her daughter. Doña Irene is distressed about her poverty. Don Diego gives Doña Irene Don Carlos’s letter to read.
Scene XII
Doña Paquita and Rita appear. Doña Irene confronts her daughter. Don Diego gives Doña Francisca Don Carlos’s letter, revealing his identity and instructions to leave. Doña Irene, realizing the truth, is enraged and threatens her daughter.
Scene XIII
Don Carlos defends Doña Paquita. Don Diego forgives his nephew and celebrates the young lovers. Doña Irene forgives her daughter. Doña Francisca and Rita reaffirm their friendship. Don Diego expresses his happiness and anticipates a son.
Character Description
The characters in”The Other Gir” are:
- Don Diego
- Doña Francisca (Doña Paquita)
- Doña Irene
- Don Carlos (Don Felix)
- Rita
- Simon
- Calamocha
Don Diego is the central character, a wealthy, polite, and good-natured man who desires to marry Doña Francisca. He is Don Carlos’s uncle.
Don Carlos is Don Diego’s nephew, a talented, educated, and lovable soldier who is in love with Doña Francisca. He is a lieutenant colonel in Zaragoza, but falls in love with Doña Francisca in Guadalajara, where he is known as Don Felix.
Doña Irene is Doña Paquita’s widowed mother, a good and honorable woman who, after three marriages and twenty-two children, seeks to marry her daughter to a wealthy man.
Doña Francisca (Doña Paquita) is Doña Irene’s daughter, a well-educated, spontaneous, and charming sixteen-year-old who is in love with Don Carlos.
Rita is Doña Irene’s maid, a mischievous but supportive friend to Doña Paquita.
Simon is Don Diego’s faithful and educated servant.
Calamocha is Don Carlos’s worldly and eccentric servant, who is friends with Rita.
The characters can be divided into primary (Don Diego, Doña Francisca, Don Carlos, and Doña Irene) and secondary (Rita, Simon, and Calamocha).
Temporal and Spatial Location
Location
The play takes place in an inn in Alcalá de Henares, specifically in a large hall with a staircase, railing, table, bench, and chairs.
Time
The action takes place over one day, from seven pm to five am the next day, with flashbacks to past events.