My first essay discusses the movement of women's rights that Queen Elizabeth I (unknowingly?) instigated during her reign. One of the articles I read from the good ole Renaissance Life and Culture mentioned a play that I just recently read. The article in the book discussed cunning ways women would trick the patriarch's of their household into believing they were making the most of their time with contructive household chores or with sewing, knitting, etc... But after hearing the title of the play I decided I was interested in knowing more. 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore by John Ford was performed during the 1630s. It was the controversial soap opera version of the Spanish Tragedy. Involving incest, betrayal, murder, masqued dancers, illegitimate pregnancies, and so many confusing Italian names, this play covers a lot of ground. Perhaps commenting on the dirty under belley of English culture at the time, Ford managed to both criticize noble wealth and the royal bloodline. Ultimately, Ford left this play out of his collected works. He was probably embarrassed by the production of what can be compared to an on stage version of Beverly Hills 90210.
Five Plays of the English Renaissance
Edited by Bernard Beckerman
It's in the Whitworth library, guys!
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