Through his work, A Mad World, My Masters, Thomas Middleton challenges the viewer's perspective on adultery by portraying it as comical, rather than totally reprehensible. Throughout the first four acts of A Mad World, My Masters, the play appears to encourage the audience to support Penitent Brothel and Mistress Harebrain as they successfully carry on an affair without the knowledge of Master Harebrain, an emotionally abusive deceiver. Despite the comedic version of the relationship, once Penitent Brothel and Mistress Harebrain actually have sex, the arrival of the Succubus brings a drastic change in tone. With its appearance in Act IV, Scene Five, A Mad World, My Masters begins to draw parallels with supernatural tragedies such as Shakespeare's plays published in the same period. It could be argued that this incident is the catalyst for a change in the point of view of the play. However, through analyzing the relationship both before and after Mistress Harebrain and Penitent Brothel consummate their relationship, I will argue in this essay that A Mad World, My Masters does not change its point of view but in fact remains steadfast in its position that the relationship between Mistress Harebrain and Penitent Brothel should be supported. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay To begin, I will detail how the play presents the relationship before Mistress Harebrain and Penitent Brothel have sex and explain how the play supports that A Mad World, My Masters does not ultimately change its point of view on the affair . From the beginning it is shown that the relationship is based on love, not lust. Some argue that the numerous references to love in the dialogue could be interpreted as synonymous with lust. However, the text expresses these two emotions in different ways. Lust is written as the cause of a crisis of faith and self. These problems are not found in the love Penitent has for Mistress Harebrain. For example, after having sex, the Penitent complains about what he has done and worries about the sacred punishment, making specific reference to lust. “Which crown is kept for continence, which for lust,” he says, “to worship weakness, slime, corruption, woman?” (4.1.15, 18). Compare this language, which, I emphasize, makes specific mention of lust, with the language used when the Penitent speaks of love. In his first appearance, Penitent explains to the audience that he is planning to have a relationship with Mistress Harebrain. In this passage he makes a direct reference to his love for her: “And such an appetite that I know damns me / (Yet I embrace it willingly), love for Harebrain's wife” (1.1.105-106). The sentiment is surprisingly ahead of its time: a man who gives up the responsibilities of faith to be with the woman he loves. The contrast in these examples serves to highlight how the story should be supported by the public. It is difficult for the viewer not to support two people who seem to genuinely love each other. Although the relationship is presented as loving, some claim that Penitent manipulates her in the relationship. However, as Penitent sends the courtesan to persuade Mistress Harebrain to have sex with him, he is quickly told that she already felt the same way. When the courtesan recounts how her meeting with Mistress Harebrain went, she says, "She [Mistress Harebrain] had fashioned herself into the shape of your love before my art touched her" (1.1.127-128). The lyrics imply consent or that Mistress Harebrain has as much power in the relationship as Penitent. Having free will is a complete departure from.