One of the unusual characteristics of these plays by Cavendish is the lack of temporal or spatial specificity. If we operate under the assumption that The Covenant of Pleasure takes place in England, does it matter that a foreign prince arrives on the scene? Does the resulting marriage between Lady Happy and this prince matter from a political perspective? What country is he from, anyway?
Food, drink, and consumption receive diverse treatment in the Bell in Campo plays. For the men in Part One, drinking is a signifier for tavern life, wenching, and gaming, and therefore a kind of male-oriented conviviality (Scene 3). Among the women who stay at home during the war, drink can have a restorative or medicinal quality. For instance, Doll Pacify lists the various beverages that Lady Passionate consumes as part of her recovery process (Part Two, Scene 4). Does the Female Army's strict prohibition (their consumption is limited to bread and water; Part One, Scene 11) say about their values? What material objects (if any) help them bond or create fellowship?
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I've been thinking about this too. Lady Jantil's diet is described in some detail - a crust of bread and water for breakfast, a small dinner of some spoonmeats (yum!) and a light supper - and contrasted with Madam Passionate's diet of "good hearty meats and drink." I wonder how/if Lady Jantil's limited consumption brings her role in the play into conversation with that of the Female Army.
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