Love for Love

The second Act opens in Foresight’s house. As his name implies, Foresight believes himself to have the power of predicting the future and recognition of good and bad omens through his studies of astrology; his speech is full of references to astrological conventions and forecasts. When Angelica enters the room, she is a confident and strong-minded young woman, openly teasing her uncle about his “false prophecies, ridiculous dreams and idle divinations” (2.69) and calling him “a nuisance to the neighborhood” (2.70). Foresight is angered by Angelica’s teasing, but Angelica remains defiant, even hinting to her uncle about his wife’s infidelity. Angelica leaves, and Sir Sampson Legend enters to visit Foresight.

Sir Sampson forms an immediate contrast with Foresight as a man of more pragmatism. He mocks Foresight’s superstitions and speaks with satisfaction about the impending return of his son Ben, and how Valentine has agreed to forfeit his inheritance for the repayment of his debts. When Foresight grows offended at Sir Sampson’s mockery of astrology, Sampson relents and tries to soothe him so as not to jeopardize the proposed marriage between Ben and Foresight’s daughter Prue.

Jeremy arrives with Valentine, who wishes to speak with Sir Sampson.