Marcelli´na, daughter of Rocco, jailer of the State prison of Seville. She fell in love with Fidelio, her father’s servant; but this Fidelio turned out to be Leonora, wife of the State prisoner Fernando Florestan.—Beethoven, Fidelio (an opera, 1791).
Marcello, in Meyerbeer’s opera of Les Huguenots, unites in marriage Valenti´na and Raoul (1836).
Marcellus (M. Claudius), called “The Sword of Rome.” Fabius “Cunctator” was “The Shield of Rome.”
Marcellus, an officer of Denmark, to whom the ghost of the murdered king appeared before it presented itself to Prince Hamlet.—Shakespeare, Hamlet (1596).
Marchioness (The), the half-starved girl-of-all-work, in the service of Sampson Brass and his sister Sally. She was so lonesome and dull that it afforded her relief to peep at Mr. Swiveller, even through the keyhole of his door. Though so dirty and ill-cared for, “the marchioness” was sharp-witted and cunning. It was Mr. Swiveller who called her the “marchioness,” when she played cards with him, “because it seemed more real and pleasant” to play with a marchioness than with a domestic slavey (ch. lvii.) When Dick Swiveller was turned away and fell sick, the “marchioness” nursed him carefully, and he afterwards married her.—C. Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop (1840).
Marchmont (Miss Matilda), the confidante of Julia Mannering.—Sir W. Scott, Guy Mannering (time, George II.).
Marcian, armorer to Count Robert of Paris.—Sir W. Scott, Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).
Marck (William de la), a French nobleman, called “The Wild Boar of Ardennes” (Sanglier des Ardennes).—Sir W. Scott, Quentin Durward (time, Edward IV.).
Marcliffe (Theophilus), pseudonym of William Godwin (author of Caleb Williams, 1756-1836).
Marco Bozzaris. Leader of the Suliotes in the successful rebellion against the Turks. A night-attack upon the Turkish camp results in the victory of the Greeks. Bozzaris is killed as the cry of triumph is raised by his command.