Nicholas Rowe and the Beginnings of Feminism on the London StageNicholas Rowe flourished during the first quarter of the 18thc: he was poet laureate to George I, the author of eight plays(three of which were great successes) and he was the esteemed translator of Lucan's PHARSALIA as well as the first modern editor of Shakespeare's plays. But most of all he was known as a playwright. Rowe's 'She-tragedies" gave great prominence to women characters and further developed the Whig virtues of the ruling political elite: individual freedom and a belief in a strong parliament which would bring the cause of the people before a constitutionally limited, reasonable monarchy. Professor Sennett's new monograph discusses Rowe's vision of women caught up by tragic, unreasonable threat or menace. He also explores the literary and the political stakes in late Stuart and early Hanoverian theatre.. New material on Rowe's life and his attempt to include ideas that can be described as incipient feminism are brought forward. While not a general biography, Sennett's new work is a contribution to the scholarship that has called for a new examination of Rowe and the Whig London of the early 18th century. |
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Page 9
... male “ heros ” to rescue their fair maidens , often with tragic results . In the words of Eric Rothstein , the typical tragedy " starts with a suspiration [ sic ] and ends with ' tears ” ” ( 92 ) . The passion and intrigue of the ...
... male “ heros ” to rescue their fair maidens , often with tragic results . In the words of Eric Rothstein , the typical tragedy " starts with a suspiration [ sic ] and ends with ' tears ” ” ( 92 ) . The passion and intrigue of the ...
Page 57
... male audience member aided in protecting each male's preconceived notion that he was dominant and thereby in control of both himself and his world . The potential power of the female on the stage ( a woman whose acting abilities may ...
... male audience member aided in protecting each male's preconceived notion that he was dominant and thereby in control of both himself and his world . The potential power of the female on the stage ( a woman whose acting abilities may ...
Page 58
... males . In the mind of a male gazer , a real connection had taken place and this woman in front of him was his to possess mentally and emotionally . Prior to the introduction of the actress to the London theatres , the stage was the ...
... males . In the mind of a male gazer , a real connection had taken place and this woman in front of him was his to possess mentally and emotionally . Prior to the introduction of the actress to the London theatres , the stage was the ...
Contents
CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND ON THE STUDY OF NICHOLAS | 11 |
CHAPTER TWO THE BEGINNINGS OF ROWES CAREER | 25 |
CHAPTER THREE CHALLENGES FOR ACTRESSES | 47 |
Copyright | |
13 other sections not shown
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