Picture courtesy of www.amazon.it |
A tragedy play, it has the unusual factor of the hero being a woman, the Duchess of the title. She is a widow, which has granted her power which she would not have otherwise gained, having been under the influence of her father, brothers and then husband.
Now that she is free, as it were, from all of these dominating male figures, she should be able to live her life how she wishes.
As in tales such as this though, it is never as simple as that. She has wishes to marry again, but her brothers are concerned that she will marry beneath her and dilute their pure bloodline. They make it clear that she is not to undertake such a decision, but she does anyway in secret.
Inevitably, the tale ends badly for many involved, with the death count seeming to rocket.
This play is studied alongside Shakespeare's Othello, of which you will have to wait to hear about in a later post!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This post is part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. To get involved and check out other blogs taking part just click here. You won't be disappointed!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This sounds like an interesting play. I wonder if my library will have a copy...we've come a long way since then, eh?
ReplyDeleteWe have. I really enjoyed reading it, it was a nice contrast to Shakespeare.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Its exhilarating seeing faces in the crowd looking up toward you. Sometimes the best way to memorize lines is to sing them into your head.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get into acting and give it a go. I'll have to try and make the time.
DeleteThanks for commenting.
Ohmigawsh! This sounds fascinating and since I have never heard of it, even MORE fascinating. There are so many plays to read (and to act in) I just don't seem to have enough time... argh!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I popped in from A-to-Z. I'm trying to get to as many folks as possible as often as I can, so I will look forward to reading more of your words!
Happy A to Z-ing!
Julie Jordan Scott
Our Literary Grannies from A to Z: D is for Denise Chavez
tweet me - @juliejordanscot
Thanks for dropping by Julie. I've been trying to stop by as many blogs as I can too, but there are so many! Good luck with the challenge!
DeleteI've never heard of that play. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteKC @ The Occasional Adventures of a Hermit & Oh Frog It
Thanks for dropping by. The play is a good one to read, even if it is a tragedy.
DeleteI've never heard of this play either. A woman with a bunch of men controlling her life -- what an unusual theme. :)
ReplyDeleteJan at Website
Beyond Acadia
Faith Talk
Swamp Lily Review
I hadn't heard of it until I read it, but I was glad to be introduced to it. Thanks for dropping in.
DeleteI've never heard of this either... thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYou changed your picture right? I like it ;)
I have, thank you for noticing! My last one was a wedding photo, which I love, but I wanted something a bit less personal I suppose.
DeleteHappy Friday!