It is easy for modern audiences to look at Master Frankford's actions in Thomas Heywood's A Woman Killed with Kindness and recoil in disgust. Although his actions today can clearly be seen as psychological abuse, in the world of the play his punishment of Anne is hailed as a courteous solution to his wife's adultery. Close readings of the text provide insight into Frankford's actions and allow the reader to see beyond their initial perception that he is more of a domestic abuser. By analyzing how A Woman Killed with Kindness presents the acts of kindness committed by Frankford and the characters in the subplot, the difference between the emotions found in the main plot and the subplot, and how it juxtaposes his actions with the alternative solutions he could have taken, I will attempt to prove, through comparisons with the parallel story involving Sir Francis, Sir Charles and Susan, that A Woman Killed with Kindness considers Frankford's actions as real acts of kindness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The most immediately obvious signifier that Frankford's actions are genuinely kind is the way the play distinguishes false kindness from true kindness. The juxtaposition of the characters' actions highlights the differences between sincere and fallacious acts. For example, after offering Sir Charles a loan and hearing him state that he had only a small amount of money and a summer residence in his possession, Shafton said aside: "I must I have it, it suits me…” It was not for love that I gave him this piece, / But for my gain and my pleasure” (5.49-53). The text wastes no time explaining what Shafton is actually looking for; it is stated clearly and leaves very little room for interpretation beyond speculation. Another example can be found with the "kindness" shown by Sir Francis Acton to Susan after Sir Charles is placed in debtor's prison: "Court her with gifts I cannot...How then?" / Well, I will grant him such kindness / Who will overcome his hatred and overcome it” (9.62-67). This is an even more obvious display of false kindness. Unlike Shafton, Sir Francis doesn't even bother to pretend why he wants to be generous to Susan. Both displays of "kindness" clearly define what Shafton and Sir Francis hope to gain through their actions – Mountford's summer residence and Susan's favor, respectively – and how they hope to achieve it. These two examples contrast with Frankford's two main acts of kindness. The first, offering his house to Wendell, does not present any of the “tells” mentioned in the previous two. When Frankford offers Wendoll a place to stay at his house, there is no aside or mention of an ulterior motive. The only explanation given for why Frankford does this is that Frankford "preferred [Wendoll] to a second place / In [his] opinion and [his] best consideration" (4.32-33). Frankford's other main act of kindness, sending Anne away once he discovered her affair with Wendoll, is more controversial but is still portrayed as having no ulterior motive. There are no asides detailing a master plan to shame Anne until her eventual death, and the text provides no reasons for Frankford to dismiss Anne aside from those he openly states. He does it because he feels betrayed and because he fears thatThe corruption that Anne suffered has a bad image of their children, calling into question their legitimacy. To summarize: if the play wanted the audience to view Frankford's actions as falsely kind, this would be more obvious, as was the case with the actions of Shafton and Sir Francis. Following this pattern, it becomes apparent that Frankford's actions throughout A Woman Killed with Kindness are viewed by the play as genuine acts of kindness. Much like how the play subtly conveys the difference between true kindness and false kindness to highlight Frankford's true nature, a key piece of evidence proving that A Woman Killed with Kindness views Frankford's actions as genuinely kind are the indications of emotions that accompany acts of generosity throughout the play. For example, compare Frankford's emotions during his acts of kindness to those of the characters in the subplot. During his confrontation with Anne after discovering his affair, Frankford expresses his grief over his wife's betrayal, saying: "Spare your tears, for I will weep for you / And keep your face, for I will blush for you" ( 13. 84-85). Here, Frankford is vulnerable, almost empathetic. Her confession both recognizes Anne's humanity by acknowledging that she feels grief and shame and forbids her from feeling anything because her own feelings take precedence. It was he who was betrayed by his wife and best friend, not by Anne. This is significant because it proves once again that Frankford's intentions were pure. If he had planned to bring about the downfall of Anne or Wendoll, he would not show as much emotion as he does without implying to the audience that there was sinister intent behind his actions. The play allows the audience to sympathize with Frankford. Compare this with Sir Francis, who becomes infatuated with Susan and decides to release his brother from prison so that she has no choice but to have sex with him: "In her I will bury my hatred of [Sir Charles]” (9.72). Sir Francis's emotions tend to focus on less sympathetic media. Yes, he says he will renounce his hatred, but his wording is strangely sexual and exploitative. It is an uncomfortable play on words for those who notice it and further depicts Sir Francis as a man indifferent to Frankford's aggrieved philanthropist. This parallel further proves that Frankford's actions throughout A Woman Killed with Kindness are considered by the play to be true acts of kindness. Not only does A Woman Killed with Kindness express the view that Frankford's actions are genuinely kind through its indications of emotions, but it also conveys his point of view by hinting at an alternative, more severe, action than Frankford could have undertaken. To begin with, when he finally discovers Anne and Wendoll in bed together, he considers killing them but stops himself, saying, "But I would not damn two precious souls / Bought with my Savior's blood and send them loaded / With all their scarlet sins. on the back” (13.44-46). This echoes an earlier scene where Sir Charles murders two of Sir Francis's men in a fit of rage: "It was not I, but rage, that committed this vile murder" (3.51). This is a reminder of what the men in the world of the play can do when enraged. And yet, he does not take violent measures. Certainly, it is stated in the production that he chases Wendoll off stage with his sword drawn, but he gives her a scratch. This speaks to his character as being fundamentally superior to many men of his time who would have continued to pursue him even after.