The Scape-Goat: A Farce in One Act

In Short

John Poole’s one-act farce is a quintessential piece of nineteenth-century English stage craft, built on the classic mechanics of mistaken identity and mounting frustration. The story concerns Ignatius Polyglot, a pedantic tutor who prides himself on keeping his young charge, Charles, away from the influence of women. When Charles reveals he has not only secretly married but also has a child, the tutor is forced to hide them in his own quarters. The play remains a charming relic of its time, capturing the frantic energy of a perfectly constructed comedic web.

The Story

The plot unfolds in the study of Ignatius Polyglot, a man who believes learning and romance are mutually exclusive. His household is in an uproar because he strictly forbids his servants, Robin and Molly, from expressing their affection for one another, fearing it will corrupt his pupil, Charles. Polyglot is so intent on maintaining a sanctuary of "science and learning" that he treats any mention of love as a dangerous infection.

When Charles’s father, Old Eustace, unexpectedly returns home early, the household enters a state of panic. Charles is secretly married to Harriet, the daughter of a deceased officer, and they have a young son, Frederick. To keep Harriet and the child hidden from the prying eyes of his father, Charles corners the reluctant Polyglot. He reminds the tutor that, as his guardian, Polyglot is legally and morally responsible for his actions. If Charles is exposed, the blame will fall entirely on the tutor’s shoulders. Caught in this logical trap and fearing for his own reputation, the tutor reluctantly agrees to hide the mother and child in his personal rooms.

The farce accelerates as Polyglot struggles to manage his secret guests while dealing with the suspicions of a sharp-tongued Molly and an increasingly confused Old Eustace. The tutor’s behavior becomes erratic—he stammers, hides bonnets, and trips over his own lies. Molly, feeling slighted by the tutor’s earlier cruelty, smells a rat and works tirelessly to expose him to her master. The tension peaks when Old Eustace, determined to get to the bottom of the "scandal" in the study, forces his way into the locked rooms.

The climax arrives when Polyglot attempts to smuggle the child out under his cloak, only to be caught red-handed by Eustace. The tutor is confronted with the evidence of his "transgression." However, Charles steps forward to take responsibility, revealing that Harriet is his wife and that they have been married for four years. While Old Eustace is initially livid at being deceived, the absurdity of the situation—combined with the intervention of the servant-turned-mediator Molly and the tutor’s plea for mercy—softens his resolve. He ultimately accepts the union, and the play concludes with a lighthearted agreement that the family will move forward, leaving the "scape-goat" tutor to fret over the prospect of having to raise the next generation.

How It Unfolds

The tutor’s sanctuary Ignatius Polyglot proudly maintains a household free of female influence to ensure his pupil, Charles, remains dedicated to his studies. He treats the servants, Robin and Molly, with stern disdain, viewing their budding romance as a threat to his pedagogical mission.

The secret revealed Charles arrives in a state of high agitation, announcing his father’s imminent return and confessing that he is not the scholar Polyglot imagines. He reveals he is already married and forces the horrified tutor to choose between protecting him or facing the wrath of Old Eustace.

The unexpected arrival Old Eustace surprises the household, and his sudden presence turns the study into a theater of forced pleasantries and hidden secrets. The tutor, now trapped by his own oath, must endure the father's praise for his "vigilance" while harboring a wife and child just yards away.

The rising suspicion Molly, sensing a hypocrisy in her master, begins to snoop, eventually finding physical evidence of the hidden woman. She delights in turning the tables on the tutor, creating a series of narrow escapes as Polyglot tries to keep the secret from the searching father.

The final discovery The truth comes to light when Old Eustace discovers the child hidden under the tutor’s cloak and finds Harriet in the locked room. The tutor’s defense—that he acted only to save his pupil—ultimately forces a confrontation that leads to the father’s begrudging acceptance of the marriage.

The People

Ignatius Polyglot is the central pillar of the farce, a man of seventeen languages who finds himself utterly undone by the one thing he cannot translate: human emotion. He starts as a pompous authority figure and ends as a frazzled, sympathetic "scape-goat" who prioritizes his pupil's happiness over his own dignity.

Charles is the young, romantic lead whose desperate need for independence drives the plot. Though he is initially presented as the model student, he proves to be a master of manipulation, successfully using the tutor’s own logic to secure his future.

Old Eustace provides the necessary weight of authority; he is the obstacle to be overcome. His transition from a stern, suspicious father to a resigned patriarch provides the play’s resolution.

Molly Maggs acts as the play’s engine of chaos. Frustrated by the tutor’s interference in her own love life, she serves as the primary investigator, keeping the pace brisk as she pushes for the truth. She and Robin represent the grounded, common-sense counterpoint to the tutor’s intellectual pretenses, ending the play on a note of domestic normalcy.

In Its Own Voice

Polyglot expresses his absurd dread of romantic influence while interrogating the servants:

"Under my nose! my very nose! here too! in my study, the sanctuary of science and of learning!"

Charles uses his tutor’s own moral framework to back him into a corner:

"Marriage, as you say, is a sacred contract; and, by your own shewing, you are bound to assist us."

Polyglot realizes the irony of his new role as the protector of the family he once tried to prevent:

"Into what a labyrinth has my affection for my pupil led me!"

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is a lighthearted critique of rigid, impractical authority. Polyglot represents the folly of trying to force human nature into a purely intellectual mold; his failure to prevent Charles’s marriage is presented not as a tragedy, but as a necessary correction to an unnatural lifestyle. The play argues that the "sanctuary of science" cannot insulate a young man from the realities of adulthood. The title itself points to the central theme: the "scape-goat" is the person who bears the social cost of a transition—in this case, the tutor who must swallow his pride and absorb the blame so that the younger generation can begin their lives. It is a story about the inevitable victory of domestic life over abstract theory.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the brisk, interlocking rhythms of classic farce will find this play a rewarding study in comedic structure. It is a quick read, feeling very much like an episode of a modern sitcom where the characters are trapped in a single room, escalating a misunderstanding until it reaches an impossible breaking point. The dialogue retains a sharp, witty quality, and the character of Polyglot is genuinely funny in his mounting despair.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period’s dated gender dynamics, particularly the tutor’s condescending view of women, which the play intentionally satirizes. The language is formal and occasionally utilizes academic jargon that reflects the tutor’s character, which may require a moment of adjustment. While some of the humor relies on the specific social mores of 1820s England—such as the extreme deference shown to fathers—the underlying frustration of a subordinate being forced to clean up a superior’s mess remains universally relatable. It is best read as a historical curiosity that captures the spirit of the Victorian stage: high stakes, low consequences, and the enduring power of a well-timed exit through a garden door.