Obviously Opaque

It seems to me, the main intent behind Heywood's play is that of satire and critique, not only of the aristocracy, but of their views on marriage and love as well.  Whereas the tale of love between the servants is told quite candidly, and in only a couple scenes, the love affairs of the aristocrats is voluminous and superfluous, and a sharp comparison is drawn between the two.  In scene II, the servants are dancing and jovially enjoying each other's company, even when Sisly wished to dance with Nicholas instead of Slime, whom she was assigned by the ringleader, Jenkins.  Their relations are open and obvious, they don't feel the theatrical nature necessary.  On the other hand, a sly look or a quick word seems to be enough to drive the rich to suicide.  Perhaps this was purposeful on Heywoods part.  What better way to illuminate the theatrical farce of bourgeois inter-relations, than to represent it through theatre, where most of the "privileged" individuals in attendance were, in fact, part of the aristocracy.  He costumes the entire occurrence in a veil of tragedy, and triumphantly places in front of his audience to bear witness.  To me, this seems like one prodigiously brilliant, and earnest, satire by Heywood against not only the culture and nature of the upper class, of which I would include Whatley's treatise, but against his own audience whom stand right before him.