The Orphan (Masterplots, Definitive Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Thomas Otway
- First Published: 1680
- Type of Work: Drama
- Type of Plot: Domestic tragedy
- Time of Work: Seventeenth century
- Setting: Bohemia
- Principal Characters: Acasto, Castalio, Polydore, Serina, Chamont, Monimia
- Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Domestic tragedy
- Subjects: Love or romance, Suicide, Europe or Europeans, Seventeenth century, Orphans or orphanages, Germany or German people, Nobility
- Locales: Bohemia
Critique:
Though not so highly regarded as his VENICE PRESERVED (1682), Otway’s THE ORPHAN held the stage until the early nineteenth century and still receives a few kind words from critics. The language abounds in Shakespearian echoes, particularly of ROMEO AND JULIET, and the character of Chamont, the hot-headed brother, is very reminiscent of Laertes. The plot, supposedly founded upon an actual incident, turns upon a highly improbable situation; but such improbabilities were common in the drama of the period. The tone of the play also points forward...
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