The Rise of the Common Citizen

Beaumont attacks the rising role of the middle class on several different levels. The concept that he presents “The Knight of the Burning Pestle” with great affections for the average citizen has a valid foundation. However, I feel that Beaumont does more than simply choose a side on this issue. Throughout the course of the play he manages to critique the rising influence of the middle class on a number of levels.

 

One of the most apparent factors in this play is the involvement and influence of the citizen and his wife. From the very beginning of the play, these two characters seem to interject their opinions at every crucial plot point in the play. Not only do they strongly voice their opinions, they have a direct effect on the direction the plot takes. The first, and most obvious, point Beaumont seems to be making is the rising influence of the middle class. By allowing these two citizens to have such an effect on the play and developing very few aristocratic characters, Beaumont shows the shift in his society from a dependence on the aristocracy to a stronger focus on the common individual.

 

Beaumont also addresses the rising role of women in his changing society. While still maintaining a slightly chauvinistic air (the female citizen is, after all, titled “woman”), he shows the growing influence women have in the spectrum of marriage. The wife interrupts the play quite often with her concerns, even more often than her husband. While she is portrayed as being highly emotional, her decisions are rarely questioned. Instead, the citizen seems to negotiate plot points with her until they reach a consensus on which direction the play should take.  Beaumont shows how the woman’s influence on society has grown along with that of the average citizen.

 

It seems as if Beaumont displays the new role of the average citizen as both a positive and negative transition.  In one light, Beaumont gives the audience Rafe: the common man turned noble knight on a whim. Beaumont uses Rafe to show how the new role of the average man is a positive switch. The lack of aristocratic influence to help develop the play shows how society can manage without it. On the other hand, Beaumont seems to use the citizen and wife to bring a little focus on the negative possibilities in society’s transition to the common man. The excessive influence these two characters have, gives insight into possible negative influence a new society of common people could have. Beaumont’s play seems to view this involvement quite negatively. He sheds light on the idea that, while the influence of the average person can be positive, some areas of influence are better left to those of a higher learning and perhaps even birth.