Taboo Wiki
(Undo revision 5985 by 96.29.200.135 (talk) Violation of NPOV policy with personal opinions contrary to official material, ie. the nickname is Godders, not Goddess. Clean up of violation of MOS.)
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== Official Description==
 
== Official Description==
  +
<!--Officially provided by BBC! Do not change or delete!-->
 
"''Honourable East India Company clerk for the last twelve years. Godders has witnessed all words exchanged at formal Company meetings, recording everything but those words spoken under a raised hand.''"<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5ggGXQ5yhVw64hJw077jmVs/cast-and-characters ''BBC One - Taboo Cast & Characters''] </ref>
 
"''Honourable East India Company clerk for the last twelve years. Godders has witnessed all words exchanged at formal Company meetings, recording everything but those words spoken under a raised hand.''"<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5ggGXQ5yhVw64hJw077jmVs/cast-and-characters ''BBC One - Taboo Cast & Characters''] </ref>
   
 
==Character Overview ==
 
==Character Overview ==
'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' is a sensitive and shy young person with a calm voice that betrays a certain fear of the world around them. Godfrey is a young lanky person with a milky white complexion, green eyes, high cheek bones and wavy dark brunette hair almost black. They hide their nonbinary identity, illegal at the time, trying to find acceptance in squalid brothels such as the [[Molly house]]. Godders wears feminine garments at the brothel where, however, they don't provide any service to the patrons.
+
'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' is a sensitive and shy young person with a calm voice that betrays a certain fear of the world around them. Godfrey is a young lanky person with a milky white complexion, green eyes, high cheek bones and wavy dark brunette hair almost black. Since sodomy and crossdressing were illegal, Godfrey hides their identity and daring to wear women's clothes only in the seedy Molly house.
   
 
==Story==
 
==Story==
 
<big>Background </big>
 
<big>Background </big>
   
'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' is a former seminary classmate of [[James Delaney]], secretly in love with him since his teenage years. Twelve years prior to James Delaney's return to London, Godfrey began working as a clerk for the [[East India Company]]. Probably at about the same period, Godfrey secretly rented a room in a [[Molly house]] in London, watching the orgies and feasts organised there while wearing women's dresses on the sidelines.
+
'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' is a former seminary classmate of [[James Delaney]], secretly in love with him since their teenage years. Twelve years prior to James Delaney's return to London, Godfrey began working as a clerk for the [[East India Company]]. Probably at about the same period, Godfrey secretly rented a room in a [[Molly house]] in London, watching the orgies and feasts organised there while wearing women's dresses on the sidelines.
   
 
<big>Double Life, Double Agent</big>
 
<big>Double Life, Double Agent</big>
   
 
[[File:Taboo-Still-S1E07-05-Godders.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders in woman attire at the molly house]]
 
[[File:Taboo-Still-S1E07-05-Godders.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders in woman attire at the molly house]]
'''{{FULLPAGENAME}}''' attended, as a clerk at the meeting at the headquarters of the East India Company in London when attorney Robert Thoyt put the order aware of the return of James Delaney. Later, when the latter was invited by the Society for an informal meeting to a discussion about Delaney's legacy, Godfrey and Delaney exchanged a fleeting glance. <ref name="Ep. 01">{{ep ref|101}}</ref>
+
As a clerck, Godfrey attended the meeting at the headquarters of the East India Company in London when attorney [[Robert Thoyt]] put the order aware of the return of James Delaney. Later, when the latter was invited by the Society for an informal meeting to a discussion about Delaney's legacy, Godfrey and Delaney exchanged a fleeting glance. <ref name="Ep. 01">{{ep ref|101}}</ref>
  +
 
During one of the meetings, Godfrey was invited by [[Sir Stuart Strange]] to read, as part of his reprimanding, the items on the agenda to remind members of the Company of the reasons why they were gathered.<ref name="Ep. 02">{{ep ref|102}}</ref>
   
During one of the meetings, Godfrey was invited by Sir Strange to read the topics the agenda when the members of the company proved to be unaware of the reasons for the meeting had not been paying attention. The young man obeyed immediately, albeit hesitantly. <ref name="Ep. 02">{{ep ref|102}}</ref>
 
 
[[File:Godders-screencaps Ep07 04.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders eavesdropping information about James Delaney at the East India Company]]
 
[[File:Godders-screencaps Ep07 04.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders eavesdropping information about James Delaney at the East India Company]]
Dressed in women's clothes, Godders witnessed a pantomime in a brothel for men only, rejecting the attention of a couple of customers claiming to be already reserved. Is just after he refused yet another customer that Godders saw James Delaney on the threshold of the room; Terrified, he sought refuge in the adjoining bedroom where a rich man was being spanked by a cross-dressing prostitute. James followed Godders just in time to lure the young clerk in a more secluded spot. The two fleetingly remembered their past friendship at the seminary, when Godders was secretly in love with him. Unfazed by this, James offered Godders a pound a week if he had reported to him all the plans of East India Company. Godders was hesitant, afraid of what might have happened if he had been discovered, but Delaney was able to persuade him. <ref name="Ep.03">{{ep ref|103}}</ref>
+
Dressed in women's clothes, Godders witnessed a pantomime at the [[Molly house]], where they rejected the attention of a couple of customers claiming to be already reserved. Shortly after they refused yet another customer, Godders saw James Delaney on the threshold. Terrified, they sought refuge in one of the adjoining bedroom where a rich man was being spanked by a prostitute. James followed Godders just in time to lure the young clerk in a more secluded spot. The two fleetingly remembered their past friendship at the seminary, when Godders was secretly in love with him. Unfazed by this, James offered Godders a pound a week if they report to him all the plans of East India Company. Godders was hesitant, afraid of what might have happened if in case they were to be discovered, but Delaney was able to persuade them. <ref name="Ep.03">{{ep ref|103}}</ref>
   
Godfrey was visited by James in search of information, and the young man adjourned Delaney about the trafficking of gunpowder. Holding hands, Godfrey expressed concern about what the Crown and the East India Company would do to those around James, in retaliation. James dismissed Godfrey's concerns, insulting him. <ref name="Ep. 04">{{ep ref|104}}</ref>
+
Godfrey was visited by James in search of information, and the young clerk adjourned Delaney about the trafficking of gunpowder. Holding hands, Godfrey expressed concern about what the Crown and the East India Company would do to those around James, in retaliation. James dismissed Godfrey's concerns, insulting them. <ref name="Ep. 04">{{ep ref|104}}</ref>
   
 
[[File:Godfrey Delaney 106 screencaps.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders advising Delaney]]
 
[[File:Godfrey Delaney 106 screencaps.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders advising Delaney]]
Godfrey is briefly seen at his desk during the extraordinary meeting of the East India Company's Desk, but Sir Strange motioned do not write down what was said during the meeting. <ref name="Ep. 05">{{Ep ref|105}}</ref>
+
Godfrey was at their desk during the extraordinary meeting of the East India Company's Desk, but Sir Strange motioned to not write down what was said during the meeting. <ref name="Ep. 05">{{Ep ref|105}}</ref>
   
 
<big>Devotion to James Delaney </big>
 
<big>Devotion to James Delaney </big>
   
Having discovered that James had been betrayed by one of his, Godfrey rushed to Delaney Mansion to inform his friend, but James told him to go home so they were not seen together. Following the destruction of James' ship, James became enraged with Godfrey because of such a move of the Company, even pointing a knife at his throat at the brothel, leaving the lad scared before going away furiously. <ref name="Ep. 06">{{Ep ref|106}}</ref>
+
Having discovered that James had been betrayed by one of his, Godfrey rushed to Delaney Mansion to inform their friend, but James told Godders to go home so they were not seen together. Following the destruction of James' ship, James became enraged with Godfrey because of such a move of the Company, even pointing a knife at their throat at the brothel, leaving the clerk scared before going away furiously. <ref name="Ep. 06">{{Ep ref|106}}</ref>
  +
 
Godfrey was present when [[Helga von Hinten]] and [[Pearl]] testified against James Delaney before the East India Company Desk, and as soon as they had the chance, Godfrey rushed to Delaney's house to warn James about what had happened. Godfrey was convinced by James to help him with [[George Chichester]], pretending to be prepared to testify to the detriment of Sir Stuart Strange for the Royal Commission led by Chichester who was investigating the sinking of a slave ship. Urged to collect their belongings and go to [[Atticus]] whilst James was trying to unravel the latest tasks necessary before sailing for America, Godfrey, wrapped in a long cloak and wearing women's clothes, left London aboard a small boat along with [[Martinez]]. <ref name="Ep. 07">{{Ep ref|107}}</ref>
   
Godfrey was present when [[Helga von Hinten]] and Pearl testified against James Delaney before the East India Company Desk, and as soon as he had the chance, he immediately rushed to Delaney mansion to warn James about what had happened. Godfrey was convinced by James to help him with [[George Chichester]], pretending to be prepared to testify to the detriment of Sir Stuart Strange for the Royal Commission led by Chichester who was investigating the sinking of a slave ship. Urged to collect his belongings and go to [[Atticus]] while James was trying to unravel the latest tasks necessary before sailing for America, Godfrey, wrapped in a long cloak and wearing women's clothes, left London aboard a small boat along with [[Martinez]]. <ref name="Ep. 07">{{Ep ref|107}}</ref>
 
 
[[File:Taboo-Caps-1x07-James-Godfrey-Brothel.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders packing up his belongings]]
 
[[File:Taboo-Caps-1x07-James-Godfrey-Brothel.jpg|thumb|250px|Godders packing up his belongings]]
  +
After being carried to safety by Martinez at the [[Dolphin Inn]], where he remained under the care of Atticus, Godfrey waited with the rest of the group that James was released from imprisonment and, if this was not the case, to hand over incriminating documents about Sir Strange to Mr Chichester so they could be used for the investigation of the Royal Commission. During the fight with the King's guards, Godfrey ran toward the ship with [[Lorna Bow]], Helga, Pearl and other vulnerable members of the crew. Later, once set sail towards the open sea, Godfrey comforted [[George Cholmondeley]], severely burned after an explosion during combat. <ref name="Ep. 08">{{Ep ref|108}}</ref>
+
After being carried to safety by Martinez at the [[Dolphin Inn]], where they remained under the care of Atticus, Godfrey waited with the rest of the group that James was released from imprisonment. If this was not the case, to hand over incriminating documents about Sir Strange to Mr Chichester so they could be used for the investigation of the Royal Commission. During the fight with the King's guards, Godfrey ran toward the ship with [[Lorna Bow]], Helga, Pearl and other vulnerable members of the crew. Later, once set sail towards the open sea, Godfrey comforted [[George Cholmondeley]], severely burned after an explosion during combat. <ref name="Ep. 08">{{Ep ref|108}}</ref>
   
 
==Memorable Quotes==
 
==Memorable Quotes==
Line 113: Line 117:
 
*Godfrey is secretly in love with James Delaney from the days when they were classmates. Although James does not reciprocate this sentiment, he was aware of the feelings of his friend.
 
*Godfrey is secretly in love with James Delaney from the days when they were classmates. Although James does not reciprocate this sentiment, he was aware of the feelings of his friend.
 
*Despite Godders' presence at the molly house, Godfrey was never shown intimately involved with guests and customers. Indeed, in "[[Episode 3]]", they deliberately rejects the sexual advances of a customer, giving rise to the assumption that Godders was not a prostitute but simply looking for a place to be freely themselves.
 
*Despite Godders' presence at the molly house, Godfrey was never shown intimately involved with guests and customers. Indeed, in "[[Episode 3]]", they deliberately rejects the sexual advances of a customer, giving rise to the assumption that Godders was not a prostitute but simply looking for a place to be freely themselves.
*Godfrey gender identity and sexual orientation are purposefully left vague to be in line with the historical period in which the distinction between them had not yet been defined.
+
*Godfrey's gender identity and sexual orientation are purposefully left vague to be in line with the historical period in which the distinction between them had not yet been defined.
   
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 16:48, 8 October 2021

Michael Godfrey, nicknamed Godders, is a clerk and double agent working for James Delaney. Godfrey is a major character in the first season of Taboo. He is portrayed by Edward Hogg.

Official Description

"Honourable East India Company clerk for the last twelve years. Godders has witnessed all words exchanged at formal Company meetings, recording everything but those words spoken under a raised hand."[1]

Character Overview

Michael Godfrey is a sensitive and shy young person with a calm voice that betrays a certain fear of the world around them. Godfrey is a young lanky person with a milky white complexion, green eyes, high cheek bones and wavy dark brunette hair almost black. Since sodomy and crossdressing were illegal, Godfrey hides their identity and daring to wear women's clothes only in the seedy Molly house.

Story

Background

Michael Godfrey is a former seminary classmate of James Delaney, secretly in love with him since their teenage years. Twelve years prior to James Delaney's return to London, Godfrey began working as a clerk for the East India Company. Probably at about the same period, Godfrey secretly rented a room in a Molly house in London, watching the orgies and feasts organised there while wearing women's dresses on the sidelines.

Double Life, Double Agent

Taboo-Still-S1E07-05-Godders

Godders in woman attire at the molly house

As a clerck, Godfrey attended the meeting at the headquarters of the East India Company in London when attorney Robert Thoyt put the order aware of the return of James Delaney. Later, when the latter was invited by the Society for an informal meeting to a discussion about Delaney's legacy, Godfrey and Delaney exchanged a fleeting glance. [2]

During one of the meetings, Godfrey was invited by Sir Stuart Strange to read, as part of his reprimanding, the items on the agenda to remind members of the Company of the reasons why they were gathered.[3]

Godders-screencaps Ep07 04

Godders eavesdropping information about James Delaney at the East India Company

Dressed in women's clothes, Godders witnessed a pantomime at the Molly house, where they rejected the attention of a couple of customers claiming to be already reserved. Shortly after they refused yet another customer, Godders saw James Delaney on the threshold. Terrified, they sought refuge in one of the adjoining bedroom where a rich man was being spanked by a prostitute. James followed Godders just in time to lure the young clerk in a more secluded spot. The two fleetingly remembered their past friendship at the seminary, when Godders was secretly in love with him. Unfazed by this, James offered Godders a pound a week if they report to him all the plans of East India Company. Godders was hesitant, afraid of what might have happened if in case they were to be discovered, but Delaney was able to persuade them. [4]

Godfrey was visited by James in search of information, and the young clerk adjourned Delaney about the trafficking of gunpowder. Holding hands, Godfrey expressed concern about what the Crown and the East India Company would do to those around James, in retaliation. James dismissed Godfrey's concerns, insulting them. [5]

Godfrey Delaney 106 screencaps

Godders advising Delaney

Godfrey was at their desk during the extraordinary meeting of the East India Company's Desk, but Sir Strange motioned to not write down what was said during the meeting. [6]

Devotion to James Delaney

Having discovered that James had been betrayed by one of his, Godfrey rushed to Delaney Mansion to inform their friend, but James told Godders to go home so they were not seen together. Following the destruction of James' ship, James became enraged with Godfrey because of such a move of the Company, even pointing a knife at their throat at the brothel, leaving the clerk scared before going away furiously. [7]

Godfrey was present when Helga von Hinten and Pearl testified against James Delaney before the East India Company Desk, and as soon as they had the chance, Godfrey rushed to Delaney's house to warn James about what had happened. Godfrey was convinced by James to help him with George Chichester, pretending to be prepared to testify to the detriment of Sir Stuart Strange for the Royal Commission led by Chichester who was investigating the sinking of a slave ship. Urged to collect their belongings and go to Atticus whilst James was trying to unravel the latest tasks necessary before sailing for America, Godfrey, wrapped in a long cloak and wearing women's clothes, left London aboard a small boat along with Martinez. [8]

Taboo-Caps-1x07-James-Godfrey-Brothel

Godders packing up his belongings

After being carried to safety by Martinez at the Dolphin Inn, where they remained under the care of Atticus, Godfrey waited with the rest of the group that James was released from imprisonment. If this was not the case, to hand over incriminating documents about Sir Strange to Mr Chichester so they could be used for the investigation of the Royal Commission. During the fight with the King's guards, Godfrey ran toward the ship with Lorna Bow, Helga, Pearl and other vulnerable members of the crew. Later, once set sail towards the open sea, Godfrey comforted George Cholmondeley, severely burned after an explosion during combat. [9]

Memorable Quotes

Godders: You know, at the seminary, I was in love with you. Of course, you do.
James Delaney: And there was I thinking that we were just brothers in arms. Didn’t we share a bed sometimes in the great hall?
Godders: It was torture. Exquisite.
― Remembering old school time

Gallery

Appearances

Season 1

Notes

  • Godfrey is secretly in love with James Delaney from the days when they were classmates. Although James does not reciprocate this sentiment, he was aware of the feelings of his friend.
  • Despite Godders' presence at the molly house, Godfrey was never shown intimately involved with guests and customers. Indeed, in "Episode 3", they deliberately rejects the sexual advances of a customer, giving rise to the assumption that Godders was not a prostitute but simply looking for a place to be freely themselves.
  • Godfrey's gender identity and sexual orientation are purposefully left vague to be in line with the historical period in which the distinction between them had not yet been defined.

References

  1. BBC One - Taboo Cast & Characters
  2. Knight, Steven (writer) & Nyholm, Kristoffer (director); January 7, 2017 BBC; January 10, 2017, FX; "Episode 1". Taboo.
  3. Knight, Steven (writer) & Nyholm, Kristoffer (director); January 14, 2017, BBC; January 17, 2017, FX; "Episode 2". Taboo.
  4. Knight, Steven (writer) & Nyholm, Kristoffer (director); January 21, 2017 BBC; January 24, 2017, FX; "Episode 3". Taboo.
  5. Knight, Steven & Ballou, Emily (writer) & Nyholm, Kristoffer (director); January 28, 2017 BBC; January 31, 2017, FX; "Episode 4". Taboo.
  6. Knight, Steven & Hervey, Ben (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 4, 2017 BBC; February 7, 2017, FX; "Episode 5". Taboo.
  7. Hardy, Chips & Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 11, 2017 BBC; February 14, 2017, FX; "Episode 6". Taboo.
  8. Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 18, 2017 BBC; February 21, 2017, FX; "Episode 7". Taboo.
  9. Knight, Steven (writer) & Engström, Anders (director); February 25, 2017 BBC; February 28, 2017, FX; "Episode 8". Taboo.