Dec 22, 2009

The Orphan | The Orphan

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...

[The entire page is 1546 words long]

The Orphan | The Orphan

At a glance:

Critique:

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