The Changeling

Beatrice, sometimes called Joanna, is the tragedy’s main character. Her double name foreshadows her changing identity as the play unfolds. She is Vermandero’s daughter and from a high social class. Her virginal beauty attracts romantic attention from Alonzo de Piraquo, Alsemero, and her father’s servant De Flores. Beatrice appears innocent, modest, and virtuous, fulfilling society’s feminine ideals. However, her temperament is also shaped by passionate emotions and a strong will. In a society where women have little agency, Beatrice finds herself caught between her father’s desire, societal expectation, and her own heart.

De Flores witnesses Beatrice’s strong passion and subversive agency through increasingly intimate exchanges. Though Beatrice appears a timid and delicate lady to other characters, her obsessive hatred for De Flores sparks strong reaction when they talk. Her vehement disregard for De Flores inspires her to involve him in Alonzo’s murder. She sets to scheming, pretending to dote on De Flores to sway him toward her murderous bidding. This dishonesty is only the start of Beatrice’s moral unraveling. Beatrice’s corruption represents Eve’s corruption in the Garden of Eden, evidenced by Beatrice likening De Flores to a serpent.

De Flores take on Beatrice’s murder request, binding himself to Beatrice as her masculine other half and acting out Beatrice’s dark and murderous wishes.