The Duchess of Malfi

by John Webster, Karen Britland (Editor)

Overview

This new edition of Webster's macabre masterpiece is accompanied by insightful commentary notes and a detailed introductory analysis of the play written by Karen Britland, making this the perfect edition for students.

As well as the complete text of the play, this revised New Mermaid edition includes:

· A detailed plot summary and annotations throughout the text
· An annotated bibliography and suggestions for further reading
· A comprehensive introduction exploring the historical and literary contexts
· An analysis of the play in performance including recent productions inspired by the #MeToo movement as well as contemporary adaptations such as Allan Palileo's Ang Dukesa ng Malfi (set in the Philippines) and Debo Oluwatuminu's Iyalode of Eti (set in pre-colonial Yorubaland).

Webster's heroine stands out as one of the most compelling female characters on the early modern stage and, along with its exploration of familial bonds, ensures the play is as relevant today as when it was written.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781474295666
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Series:	New Mermaids
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Karen Britland is Professor of Early Modern English Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Her research interests include early modern drama, the Stuart court, and women's writing. She has edited plays by Elizabeth Cary, John Marston, and James Shirley, and was an associate editor for the Cambridge Complete Works of Ben Jonson edition between 2000 and 2012.
John Webster was born in c. 1580 to a London coachmaker, and appears to have studied law at the Middle Temple. Although he is recorded as the author of several other works, including a history play, Lady Jane, his only surviving works are Westward Ho! and Northward Ho! (1604-05), written in collaboration with Thomas Dekker, the comedy The Devil's Law Case (1620), and two tragic masterpieces, The White Devil (1612) and The Duchess of Malfi (1614).
Karen Britland studied English at Lincoln College Oxford and teaches Literature at Keele Univeristy. Recent publishing work: Assistant Editor on the Cambridge University Press Complete Works of Ben Jonson and is editing James Shirley's The Imposture for the Oxford University Press Complete Works of James Shirley.

Karen Britland is Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Preface
Plot Summary
Analysis
1. Historical and Literary Contexts
2. Performance Aspects of the Text
3. Critical Interpretations
Resources and Annotated Bibliography
A Note on the Text
The Play