Act 1, Second Scene (p. 303-313) Summary

The second scene of Act 1 transpires in a hallway in the Royal palace of the capital city—probably Warsaw. Astolfo and Estrella, each accompanied by a retinue of soldiers and ladies-in-waiting, face off in the hallway. Through explanatory dialogue, they each claim to have arrived in the palace desiring to be declared as heir to the throne of Poland. Estrella is the daughter of the late Clorilene, and Astolfo the son of the late Recisunda. Both women were sisters to the king of Poland, Basilio. Estrella claims the throne as the eldest child of the eldest daughter; whereas, Astolfo's claim lies in the fact of his gender. Astolfo suggests that the two cousins marry, and thus reunite the rival claims into an unassailable situation. Estrella is not adverse to the suggestion but does not...