The Group by Mercy Otis Warren

Mercy Otis Warren wrote The Group as a piece of propaganda to encourage the colonists to fight for freedom from oppression by the British government and its sympathizers. At the time Warren wrote this mock play, General Gage had replaced Governor Hutchinson as the leader of the British troops in the colonies, which added to the hostility felt by the colonists. Surprisingly, of all the characters in this play, Sylla who is representative of General Gage is portrayed in the best light. Sylla acknowledges that what he is doing is wrong and is perplexed as to how to reconcile his duties and his feelings. Though Sylla is imposing martial law on the city of Boston, he attempts to take into account the colonists’ feelings; Sylla does so by trying to keep the troops at bay so as not to insult the colonists. Sylla also reprimand the Simple Sapling for his desire of fame over his family's best interest by saying, “Has thou no sons or blooming daughters there,/ To call up the feelings of a Father, /Lets their young minds contaminate by vice, /Caught from such inmates, dangerous and vile, /Devoid of virtue, rectitude, or honor...” Sylla's statement is ironic because while Sylla describes the soldiers as being "devoid of virtue, rectitude, or honor," these very men lack the same qualities. In addition, this statement give an opportunity to show that men such as Simple Sappling and Hateall do not care for their wives and children. In addition to being sympathetic, Sylla is also loyal, though his loyalty is to the crown of Britain. Sylla states, “I only wish to serve my Sovereign well, /And bring new glory to my master’s crown, /Which can’t be done by spreading ruin around /This loyal Country.../Wrought up to madness by oppression's hand...” Sylla feels that he would desecrating the legacy of Britain’s past heroes, who fought bravely for freedom, if he were to fight the colonists who only desire freedom from oppression.

Sylla seems to be the tragic hero is this play; Warren may have used Sylla as a contrast to the other characters, who are morally inferior. While General Gage is relatively new to the colonists, the men represented by the other characters are well known; therefore, Warren may want to emphasize the immorality of these men. Sylla is portrayed as sympathetic, rational, and loyal, while the others are seen as greedy, selfish, fearful, and vendictive. Instead of being moved by Sylla’s compassion and reluctance to take military actions, these men begin to fear that they will lose everything they have worked for if there is no fight. After Sylla exits, Halzerod says, “ This balancing of passions never will do, /And by the scale which virtue holds to reason, /Weighing the business e’er he executes, /Doubting, deliberating, half resolved/ To be the savior of a virtuous state, /Instead of guarding the refugees and knaves, /The buzzing reptiles that crawl round his court…” Halzerod continues to say that he will attempt to convince Sylla to take “bloody resolutions.” This statement by Halzerod only increases the audience’s disgust for men such as Halzerod and Meagre, who want to destroy the colonies for personal gain. Though at first, Warren’s positive portrayal of Sylla seems perplexing, its serves its purpose well in contrasting the immorality of the other characters.