Within the play Tis Pity She's a Whore, the relationship between Giovanni and the Friar changes dramatically between Act 1 Scene 1 and Act 2 Scene 5. In the first scene, Giovanni seeks religious guidance from the Friar about his incestuous feelings for his sister Annabella. The Friar tries to convince Giovanni to repent his sins. By Act 2 Scene 5, Giovanni has fully embraced his sinful actions, losing faith in religion. He argues with the Friar, displaying his doubts. The Friar, previously supportive, now shows no sympathy for Giovanni as he knows Giovanni's fate is eternal damnation for ignoring his calls for repentance.

1. Beth Graham
Compare Act 1 sc 1 with Act 2 sc 5 focusing on changes in Giovanni's and the Friar's state
of mind.
Within the play Tis Pity she’s a Whore, characters Giovanni and the Friar undergo a dramatic
change in their state of minds when one compares Act 1 Scene 1 and Act 2 Scene 5. This
dramatic change is based on their outlook on religion and philosophy mostly, with Giovanni
becoming more skeptical whereas the Friar becomes noticeably frustrated.
Religion and philosophy are both key themes within the first scene of the play, Giovanni decides to
confide in the Friar with his desire for the love of his sister Annabella, his desire for incest. At this
point in the play we see Giovanni reaching out to religion for help in regards to his mostly sexual
desires, he knows what he wants is wrong or in this case unholy “To you I have unclasped my
burdened soul.” This also acts as the reader’s first indicator that this is in fact a tragedy, that this
will ultimately be Giovanni’s downfall. After confessing that he has fallen in lust with his sister
Annabella, the Friar attempts to offer Giovanni a way out before he fully commits to this sin
“Repentance, son, and sorrow for this sin… With thy unranged almost blasphemy.” Throughout the
scene the Friar repeatedly advises Giovanni that religion is his only way to escape this sinful fate,
although the young man is wanting to be forgiven, he still provides rather skeptical or even
argument evoking responses “One soul, one flesh, one love, one heart, one all?’ Although he is
searching for escapism through religion, it is suggested that part of him enjoys the sinful nature of it
all.
This attitude towards his lust is confirmed in Act 2 Scene 5 in which Giovanni has lost any regard
of religion as he chose to fully embrace the sinful incest and instead choses to argue with the Friar
over their contrasting beliefs “Father, in this you are uncharitable; what I have done, I’ll prove both
fit and good.” Unlike the previous scene, Giovanni is boldly displaying his doubts or disregard of
religion, however it is also possible that he is also attempting to anger the Friar as he blames him
for his situation and lack of repentance. This scene really encompasses the conflict between both
Giovanni and the Friar, their clash of belief and morality.
One of the main differences between the two scenes is the changing relationship between
Giovanni and the Friar. In the first scene the Friar is seen to be rather supportive of Giovanni,
wanting to help him off of this dangerous path “Look through the world, and thou shalt see a
thousand faces shine more glorious than this idol thou ador’st.” It is clear that the Friar is proud of
his intelligence but is truly worried about Giovanni’s lustful desires; the Friar believes if Giovanni
follows that road it will lead him to his death where nobody will be able to save him. Interestingly,
this advice to find another lover was also given to Romeo in regards to his star crossed lover
relationship with Juliet; he was warned by another friar that he must find another to love if not his
love for Juliet will kill him due to their backgrounds and incapable secrets between them much like
Giovanni and Annabella.
This relationship between the Friar and Giovanni dramatical changes by the next scene, as the
Friar has lost his temper with Giovanni’s incompetence. This conflict between the two also seems
to be the result from their previous conversation “Peace! Thou hast told a tale whose every word
threatens eternal slaughter to the soul.” The Friar clearly demonstrates his lack of sympathy
towards Giovanni at the beginning of the scene, mirroring the first act in the play; the Friar knows
that there will be no mercy from God on Giovanni’s behalf now, his fate is eternal damnation.
In conclusion, there is a great contrast between the Friar and Giovanni when one compares the
two given scenes. The Friar goes from sympathising Giovanni’s plee for religious help to accepting
his sinful fate, the Friar knows there is nothing more that can be done to help Giovanni, that he
sealed his fate by ignoring he offers of repentance.