The Forced Marriage (Masterplots II: Women’s Literature Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Aphra Behn
- First Published: 1671
- Type of Work: Drama
- Type of Plot: Romantic
- Time of Work: The seventeenth century
- Setting: France
- Principal Characters: The King, Prince Philander, Alcippus, Erminia, Galatea, Orgilius, Alcander, Olinda, Pisaro, Labree, Isillia
- Genres: Drama, Tragicomedy
- Subjects: Class conflict, France or French people, Love or romance, Gender roles, Marriage, Mistaken or secret identity, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, Seventeenth century, Kings, queens, or royalty, Royal courts or courtiers
- Locales: France
Form and Content
The Forced Marriage: Or, the Jealous Bridegroom, although seemingly conventional in structure and subject matter, offers a perspective that is different from that of other plays of the period. In contrast to the usual pairing off of young couples according to the dictates of their parents, this play explores the freedom of choice that the two heroines have dared to demand. Princess Galatea wants the young General Alcippus, who is not her social equal, for her husband; Prince Philander hopes to make Erminia, who is also not of his class, his bride. Both...
[The entire page is 2726 words long]
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