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Short Plays · Character

Phyllis

Phyllis, a young woman caught in a melodramatic whirl of poison, disguise, and sudden fortune in Shaw's gleeful parody of Victorian stage thrillers.

supporting

Also known as Phyllis, Phyllis Shuddering, Fitz Affecting, Fitz, Fitz Phyllis, Fitz Kneeling, Fitz Solemnly

First appearance: passion poison and petrifaction

As a supporting figure in Short Plays, Phyllis is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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In Passion, Poison, and Petrifaction, Phyllis is the ingenue whose romantic entanglements and perilous circumstances drive the farcical machinery of the plot. She is earnest where the play is absurd, which makes her the…

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The fuller portrait of Phyllis sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Phyllis in passion poison and petrifaction

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Phyllis sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

MAMagnesia Adolp…GMGeneral Mitche…SPSir Pearce Mad…CBCashel ByronFDFitz DastardPHPhyllis

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Admirable Bashville love triangle
  • Passion and Fascinating Foundling
  • Great Catherine court

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the Cloaked Man…

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