Author: John Webster
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780192834539
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 438
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Book Description
This volume offers John Webster's two great Jacobean tragedies, The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi, together with his brilliant tragicomedy, The Devil's Law-Case, and the comedy written with William Rowley, A Cure for a Cuckold. Webster is a radically and creatively experimental dramatist. His tragedies deploy shifting dramatic perspectives which counteract and challenge conventional moral judgements, while the predominantly gentler tone of his comedies and tragicomedies responds inventively to contemporary changes in dramatic taste and fashion. All four plays display the provocative intelligence of a profoundly original playwright. Under the General Editorship of Michael Cordner of the University of York, the texts of the plays have been newly edited and are presented with modernized spelling and punctuation. In addition, there is detailed annotation, a glossary, and a critical introduction which traces Webster's artistic development, defends him against charges of overindulgence in violence, and explores his sophisticated staging and scenic forms.
Author: John Webster
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1408138131
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 449
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Book Description
The Duchess of Malfi is one of the major tragedies of the early modern period and remains popular in the theatre as well as in the classroom. The story of the Duchess's secret marriage and the cruel revenge of her brothers has fascinated and appalled audiences for centuries. This new Arden edition offers readers a comprehensive, illustrated introduction to the play's historical, critical and performance history. The text is modernised and edited to the highest scholarly standards, with textual notes and commentary notes on the same page for ease of reference. This is the lead title in the launch of The Arden Early Modern Drama Series, a series which offers all the depth and quality of thinking long associated with the Arden. The edition will be valued by students, teachers and theatre professionals.
Author: John Webster
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Brothers and sisters
Languages : en
Pages : 186
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Book Description
John Webster's play "The Duchess of Malfi" is a violent play that presents a dark, disturbing portrait of the human condition... The title character is a widow with two brothers: Ferdinand and the Cardinal. In the play's opening act, the brothers try to persuade their sister not to seek a new husband. Her resistance to their wishes sets in motion a chain of secrecy, plotting, and violence. The relationship between Ferdinand and the Duchess is probably one of the most unsettling brother-sister relationships in literature. The play is full of both onstage killings and great lines. The title character is one of stage history's intriguing female characters; she is a woman whose desires lead her to defy familial pressure. Another fascinating and complex character is Bosola, who early in the play is enlisted to act as a spy. Overall, a compelling and well-written tragedy. --Michael J. Mazza at Amazon.com.
Author: John Webster
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
Author: John Webster
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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Book Description
Author: John Webster
Publisher: Namaskar Books
ISBN:
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 224
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Book Description
Step into a world of intrigue, passion, and betrayal in John Webster's captivating play, "The Duchess of Malfi." Set against the backdrop of a morally complex society, this dark tragedy explores the depths of human desire and the consequences of defiance. As the story unfolds, a haunting question emerges: What lengths will one go to in pursuit of love and freedom? Webster's powerful characters challenge the oppressive forces around them, igniting a drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But here's the twist that will leave you breathless: In a world dominated by corruption and revenge, can true love ever prevail? *The Duchess of Malfi* grapples with themes of power, loyalty, and the struggle for identity, inviting you to consider the price of passion. With its rich language and intricate plot, this play immerses you in a haunting tale that resonates across time. Webster’s masterful use of dramatic irony heightens the tension, leading to a shocking conclusion that will linger in your mind. Are you prepared to witness the tragic downfall of a woman who dared to love in a world that sought to crush her spirit? This is more than just a play; it's a profound exploration of human nature and societal constraints. Each scene draws you deeper into the emotional turmoil of its characters, challenging your perceptions of morality and justice. Don't miss your chance to experience this timeless tragedy! Will you dare to confront the darkness within the world of "The Duchess of Malfi"? Purchase "The Duchess of Malfi" now, and immerse yourself in a tale of love and vengeance that has captivated audiences for centuries!
Author: Barbara Banks Amendola
Publisher: Sutton Pub Limited
ISBN: 9780750928403
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 250
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Book Description
This book traces her tragic life, the controversy of her secret marriage to her servant lover, and the wrath of her wicked Cardinal brother, amid the culture of fifteenth century Italy.
Author: John Ford
Publisher: Penguin UK
ISBN: 014139224X
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 640
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Book Description
These four plays, written during the reigns of James I and Charles I, took revenge tragedy in dark and ambiguous new directions. In The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil, John Webster explores the role of women and the problems of power, sex and corruption in the Italian court, creating two unforgettable anti-heroines. In The Broken Heart, John Ford questions the value of emotional repression as his characters attempt to subdue their desires and hatreds in ancient Greece. Finally, Ford's masterpiece 'Tis Pity She's a Whore explores the taboo theme of incest and forbidden lust in a daring reworking of Romeo and Juliet. Jane Kingsley-Smith has edited the plays from the earliest quartos and added invaluable editorial material, including explanatory glosses and a new introduction that discusses how the playwrights explored issues around women, sex, power and violence. JOHN WEBSTER was born in about 1578 in London. He studied law at the Middle Temple before embarking on a career in the theatre, collaborating on many plays with contemporary dramatists. But it was his two solo-authored tragedies, The White Devil (1612) and The Duchess of Malfi (1614), which sealed his reputation. He died in the 1630s. JOHN FORD was born in 1586 in Devon. His early career was wholly concerned with poetry and philosophical works, and it was not until the 1620s that he began collaborating on stage plays. In the late 1620s, he began writing alone, producing the eight plays on which his reputation would be based, including The Broken Heart (1620) and 'Tis Pity She's a Whore (c.1630). Nothing more is known of Ford after the performance of his last play in 1638. JANE KINGSLEY-SMITH completed her PhD at the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon and is the author of two monographs: Shakespeare's Drama of Exile (2003) and Cupid in Early Modern Literature and Culture (2010). She is a Reader at Roehampton University, London, and a regular guest speaker at Shakespeare's Globe.
Author: Emma Josephine Smith
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521519373
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 293
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Book Description
Introducing the reader to important topics in English Renaissance tragedy, this Companion presents fresh readings of key texts.
Author: Frank Kermode
Publisher: Modern Library
ISBN: 0307769682
Category : Drama
Languages : en
Pages : 690
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Book Description
Edited and with an Introduction by Frank Kermode A Woman Killed with Kindness by Thomas Heywood Volpone by Ben Jonson The Revenger’s Tragedy by Cyril Tourneur The Maid’s Tragedy by John Fletcher and Francis Beaumont A Chaste Maid in Cheapside by Thomas Middleton The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley The lyrical, bloodthirsty tragedies and witty urban comedies in this original collection were first performed during the reign of King James I (1603—25). Though nearly four centuries old, they display surprisingly modern sensibilities regarding sex, violence, morality, and honor. Brilliantly introduced and annotated by Frank Kermode, these seven Jacobean masterpieces are the finest and most representative plays of a time when drama was the most vital and important mirror of English society.
