Epicene: The Dangers of the Consumer Culture

During Jonson’s era capitalism was still a fairly new concept, being introduced in 1450, and yet, Jonson recognized the negative effects that slowly began to change the structure of society. By understanding Jonson’s use of satire, and the lack of connection within relationships in Epicene, we can understand Jonson’s attitude towards the dangers of capitalism that, he believed, would eventually lead to civilization’s downfall.

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MOROSE

I now introduce Jonson’s brainless consumer, Morose. Morose represents the consumer infatuated with the capitalist society; he was never satisfied with what he had. Instead of regarding human life with respect, and desiring to develop deep relationships, he desires a product to fit his specific needs. Unfortunately these products are not objects, rather people.

So what does he do? He searches for a wife that will produce the most value to his posterity and give longevity to his name. But he only has one requirement. According to Morose, she needs to be silent, no matter the form or...quality, so she be able to bear children” .

In order to comprehend how consumerism has warped Morose's perception of marriage, we must first understand how the Oxford English Dictionary defines marriage, and then compare it to Morose's definition.

• Oxford English Dictionary- An intimate union; a merging or blending of two things. 
• What Morose says to his servant Cutbeard when first meeting Epicene- This gentlewoman is she you have provided and brought in hope that she will fit me in the place and person of wife? 

THE REAL REASON FOR MARRIAGE

It is important to understand the lack of human connection between characters, but in order to understand Morose’s downfall, it is just as important to identify his true motives for marriage. At the end of the play, Morose’s loss of power arises because he is motivated by revenge and his desire to have an heir to carry his name forward.

Morose does not have any children; thus, the next in line to receive his inheritance is his nephew, Dauphine. But Morose wants to cut off his only nephew from his fortune because he disapproves of his lifestyle. So what should Morose do? *Hint, whatever logical strategy you have come up with, he didn't do that* He decides to marry a complete stranger, start a family to carry forth his legacy, and make his nephew suffer.

Maybe Morose should take this advice.
You can't marry a woman you just met.
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Marjorie Swan describes a new trend occurring in the seventeenth century in order to gain power and social status. She states, 

the genealogically minded individual [- or husband-] regarded himself as ‘a trustee for the handing on of blood, property, and tradition,’ and strove to perpetuate his bloodline by procreating within marriage. 

She explains that not only were men the sole "trustees", but they also needed to find a virginal and morally pure woman, in order to increase this power. And that is how Morose’s quest began. 

But actually courting a woman, and getting to know her was beneath him. Naturally he had to hire someone else to take his place. So for six months he hired a man, who searched all over England, to find him a silent woman, be she of any form or any quality, so she be able to bear children. Hiring another to take his place in finding a wife, shows Morose wants to avoid all obligations tied to building a relationship. Morose has no intentions of creating a family built on deep relationships; he simply wants to preserve his legacy of power. Ladies, this is what we call a "red flag".

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