Synopses & Reviews
One of the most controversal plays in drama literature, this play's treatment of the subject of incest and the portrayal of the morality of the protagonist has made this play one of the most studied in history. It is one of the most psychologically powerful and intellectually challenging tragedies produced in the early years of King Charles I's reign and 20th-century directors have found inspiration from the play in theatrical and film adaptations and productions. In the plot Annabella, accompanied by her down-to-earth nurse, is introduced to a series of suitors to her hand. She finds all of them unsatisfactory - and rightly so, for the audience knows that the nastiest of them is having an affair with her domineering aunt. Eventually she is wooed by a sensitive and passionate young man whose love she returns - but this young man happens to be her own brother, Giovanni. When they consummate their love and she, to avoid the scandal of extramarital pregnancy, agrees to marry her aunt's lover, the tragic outcome is inevitable. John Ford (1586-1640) was an English Jacabean playwright.
Martin Wiggins is a Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham. One of the most controversal plays in drama literature, this play's treatment of the subject of incest and the portrayal of the morality of the protagonist has made this play one of the most studied in history. It is one of the most psychologically powerful and intellectually challenging tragedies produced in the early years of King Charles I's reign and 20th-century directors have found inspiration from the play in theatrical and film adaptations and productions.
Annabella, accompanied by her down-to-earth nurse, is introduced to a series of suitors to her hand. She finds all of them unsatisfactory--and rightly so, for the audience knows that the nastiest of them is having an affair with her domineering aunt. Eventually she is wooed by a sensitive and passionate young man whose love she returns--but this young man happens to be her own brother, Giovanni. When they consummate their love and she, to avoid the scandal of extramarital pregnancy, agrees to marry her aunt's lover, the tragic outcome is inevitable.
Synopsis
Like Shakespeare's Juliet, Annabella, accompanied by her down-to-earth
nurse, is introduced to a series of suitors to her hand. Like Juliet,
she finds all of them unsatisfactory - and rightly so, for the audience
know that the nastiest of them is having an affair with her domineering
aunt. Like Juliet, Annabella is wooed by a sensitive and passionate
young man whose love she returns - but this young man happens to be her
own brother, Giovanni. When they consummate their love and she, to
avoid the scandal of extramarital pregnancy, agrees to marry her aunt's
lover, the tragic outcome is inevitable. John Ford, writing his
psychologically powerful and intellectually challenging tragedies in
the early years of King Charles I's reign, is a playwright of the first
rank, as 20th-century directors have shown both in the theatre and on
film.
Synopsis
John Ford's savage play of incestuous love retains its power to shock even contemporary audiences, and yet is also a moving and restrained exploration of the tragic consequences of forbidden relationships.
Detailed commentary notes are included alongside the play text for easy reference. There is also a list of further reading suggestions included to aid research.
Synopsis
One of the most controversal plays in drama literature, this play's treatment of the subject of incest and the portrayal of the morality of the protagonist has made this play one of the most studied in history. It is one of the most psychologically powerful and intellectually challenging tragedies produced in the early years of King Charles I's reign and 20th-century directors have found inspiration from the play in theatrical and film adaptations and productions. In the plot Annabella, accompanied by her down-to-earth nurse, is introduced to a series of suitors to her hand. She finds all of them unsatisfactory - and rightly so, for the audience knows that the nastiest of them is having an affair with her domineering aunt. Eventually she is wooed by a sensitive and passionate young man whose love she returns - but this young man happens to be her own brother, Giovanni. When they consummate their love and she, to avoid the scandal of extramarital pregnancy, agrees to marry her aunt's lover, the tragic outcome is inevitable.
About the Author
John Ford (b.1586-1640) was an English Jacabean playwright. Editor Martin Wiggins is a Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham.