Old Fortunatus (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Thomas Dekker
- First Published: 1600
- Type of Work: Drama
- Type of Plot: Allegory
- Time of Work: Tenth century
- Setting: Cyprus, Babylon, and England
- Principal Characters: Fortunatus, Andelocia, Ampedo, Agripyne, Fortune, Virtue, Vice
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Folklore
- Subjects: Parents and children, Sin or Original sin, England or English people, Fathers, Good and evil, Greed, Gods or goddesses, Middle East, Tenth century
- Locales: England, Cyprus, Babylon, ancient
The Story:
Fortunatus had never assiduously pursued virtue. He had been compelled, however, by his poverty to lead a life of patience and temperance. One day, after wandering for three days in a forest and sustaining himself by eating nuts, he unexpectedly encountered the goddess Fortune. This meeting was to transform his life. The goddess, who enjoyed both the praises and the curses of men as tokens of her power, chose to smile on the old man. Of her six gifts—wisdom, strength, health, beauty, long life, and riches—she offered him one. Believing that all other blessings...
[The entire page is 2229 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
