Analysis
Thomas Otway's plays, admired for their emotional resonance, have long intrigued critics for their ability to evoke strong feelings despite their perceived deficiencies in dramatic structure and moral complexity. Samuel Johnson acknowledged this emotive power, noting in particular the pathos of Otway's works, even as he critiqued their lack of moral clarity. Yet, a deeper examination of Otway's body of work reveals a playwright who was both a product of his time and a subtle critic of the same, using his characters to explore themes of love, power, and human frailty.
The Power of Emotion in Otway's Plays
Samuel Johnson, in his assessment of Thomas Otway’s work, particularly The Orphan, highlights the playwright’s ability to engage the audience’s emotions, acknowledging that while Otway’s work may lack "comprehension of thought or elegance of expression," it possesses the unique power to stir the heart. This emotional engagement is a recurring theme across Otway's plays, from Alcibiades to Venice Preserved, where the representation of raw human emotions takes precedence over structural or moral considerations. Johnson's critique, however, also points to a deeper tension within Otway's work: the conflict between emotional authenticity and dramatic or moral coherence. While Johnson and his contemporaries might have dismissed the seemingly immoral aspects of Otway’s work, it’s precisely these elements that offer a window into the complex interplay between personal passions and societal norms during Otway’s time.
Original Conception versus Dramatic Execution
Otway’s plays often rely more on the strength of their initial ideas than on careful dramatic execution. For instance, The Orphan suffers from a lack of character motivation, particularly in the actions of Castalio, whose concealed marriage to Monimia lacks rationale beyond serving the plot’s tragic trajectory. This flaw highlights a broader trend in Otway's work where the narrative arc is driven more by thematic concerns than by character-driven storytelling. Despite these shortcomings, Otway’s focus on the inherent frailty of human intentions and the defeat of ideals by circumstances resonates throughout his plays, underscoring a tragic vision that transcends the need for precise dramatic craftsmanship.
Subversion of Power and Authority
Jessica Munns offers an analysis of Otway’s plays as critiques of traditional power structures, drawing analogies between familial and monarchical hierarchies. Her reading suggests that Otway’s dramas subtly undermine established norms, reflecting the societal changes of his time. Munns interprets Otway's intense language and apparent misogyny through a lens of historical and Marxist theories, suggesting that these elements critique the systems of power that the plays ostensibly support. This duality in Otway’s work reflects a profound engagement with the political landscape of the Restoration period, questioning the legitimacy and integrity of authority figures both in the family and the state.
Heroic Ideals and Human Frailty
Despite the influence of earlier Restoration dramatists like Dryden and Boyle, who glorified ideals of honor and love, Otway’s later works cast doubt on the power of these ideals to guide human actions. His plays, including The Orphan and Venice Preserved, often depict characters who are unable to realize their aspirations, illustrating a tragic vision of human potential stymied by reality. Otway's use of the heroic tradition serves to heighten the pathos of his dramas, as characters strive for ideals that are ultimately unattainable. This approach not only challenges the conventions of the heroic play but also reflects a broader disillusionment with grand narratives of human capability and virtue.
Dramatic Sensationalism and the Heroic Play
The use of rhymed couplets and sensational plot devices in Restoration drama is well illustrated in Otway’s Alcibiades, which shares characteristics with Dryden’s The Conquest of Granada . Otway’s play, however, departs...
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from the epic tendencies of his predecessors, focusing instead on dramatic spectacle and character extremities as seen inTyrannic Love. This approach aligns with the period’s penchant for theatrical sensation, yet Otway’s plays often subvert the very norms they appear to emulate, using melodrama not merely for effect but to critique the underlying values of the heroic mode.
Alcibiades: A Study in Dramatic Liability
The plot of Alcibiades draws from Plutarch’s historical account, yet the play’s focus is not on historical accuracy but on the dramatic potential of Alcibiades’ character. The titular character is a liability rather than a hero, caught between martial prowess and romantic sensitivity, ultimately acted upon rather than acting. This portrayal of Alcibiades as both a victim and a flawed hero encapsulates Otway’s thematic focus on the inevitability of human vulnerability and the tragic consequences of hubris and misunderstanding. Timandra, Alcibiades’ partner in tragedy, embodies the emotional core of the play, articulating the fears and vulnerabilities that affirm the play’s tragic dimension.
Don Carlos and the Evolution of Revenge Tragedy
In Don Carlos, Prince of Spain, Otway refines the themes of revenge and jealousy seen in Alcibiades, with Rui-Gomez serving as the central figure whose machinations drive the plot. His character is reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Iago, yet Otway’s treatment lacks the moral and psychological depth found in Othello. Instead, Don Carlos focuses on the tragic consequences of jealousy, with Carlos and the queen as innocent victims caught in the crossfire of political and personal vendettas. Despite its reliance on familiar tropes, the play successfully blends pathos with a critique of corruption and betrayal, showcasing Otway’s ability to navigate complex emotional landscapes within the constraints of the heroic form.
Adaptations and Shakespearean Influences
Otway’s adaptations, including Titus and Berenice and The Cheats of Scapin, demonstrate his engagement with French and English dramatic traditions. The History and Fall of Caius Marius is particularly notable for its Shakespearean borrowings, presenting a historical drama that parallels contemporary political tensions. This play, while drawing on Romeo and Juliet, uses the backdrop of civil war to explore themes of political ambition and familial destruction. Otway’s use of borrowed material reflects his ability to infuse his plays with contemporary relevance while maintaining the emotional depth characteristic of his work.
Exploring Social and Moral Corruption
Otway’s comedies, such as Friendship in Fashion and The Soldier’s Fortune, offer a satirical lens on the corruption of social relations in Restoration society. These plays reject the surface brilliance of traditional comedies of manners, instead presenting a bleak view of love and friendship dominated by deceit and betrayal. Friendship in Fashion, in particular, dismantles the idealized representations of social relations, exposing the moral bankruptcy underlying fashionable life. The cynicism of Otway’s comedic characters mirrors his tragic themes, revealing a consistent vision of human fallibility across his oeuvre.
The Orphan: Tragic Power and Moral Ambiguity
The Orphan stands out for its tragic power, underscored by the moral ambiguity surrounding its central characters. The play’s dramatic focus on familial relationships and the destruction of social bonds resonates with Otway’s broader themes of human frailty and corruption. The tragic dilemma, precipitated by Polydore’s betrayal of Castalio, serves to highlight the complexities of human intention and the inescapable nature of moral compromise. Otway’s restrained moral judgment allows for an unfiltered emotional response to the characters’ plights, enhancing the play’s pathos and tragic impact.
Venice Preserved: Political and Personal Conflict
Venice Preserved exemplifies Otway’s mastery of combining political intrigue with personal drama, presenting a complex narrative of betrayal and loyalty. The play’s central character, Jaffeir, navigates a series of moral and emotional conflicts that mirror the political instability of the time. The pervasive sense of sexual motivation and moral ambiguity underscores the play’s dramatic tension, reflecting Otway’s critique of the political machinations and human weaknesses that drive the narrative. The interplay of public and private dimensions in Venice Preserved enhances its accessibility to modern audiences, cementing its status as one of Otway’s most enduring works.
