A Great Play - but I wouldn't choose this edition again...
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'Tis Pity She's a Whore is a play which centres around the incestuous love of its to protagonists - Giovanni and Anabella, brother and sister. The controversy of its topic have been much discussed since it was first performed in the 17th century, with different critics and different audiences taking to it very differently.
I thoroughly enjoyed my read - it is fast moving and has a wide range of characters with a variety of sub plots. I particularly enjoyed the adulterous Hippolita, and her lover Soranzo's servant Vasquez. Indeed, the depth and time given to the supporting cast in some ways brings into doubt which are the main characters in the play. However, the story revolves around Giovanni and Anabella and their love affair. It calls into question religion, society, and of course the taboo itself (although it is doubtful that John Ford was condoning the incestuous relationship, neither are Giovanni and Anabella presented in an unsympathetic light). As a spectacle, there are doubtlessly a wide range of ways to stage the play. I found the language easier than the majority of Shakespeare, and although the plot in parts bares similarity to Shakespeare and perhaps Johnson, I will be looking out for a production. The brutality and intrigue of the play would, I am sure, make for interesting viewing.
This edition I have mixed feelings about. The introduction is good enough - it is easy to read, and gives an overview of themes and past stagings of the production, as well as a good selection of possible extra reading. However the commentary to accompany the text was too sparse for me - although it gives definitions of most of the words you could not find in a dictionary, it gives little context or explanation, and at no point links in with the issues discussed in the commentary.
I must admit I am a fan of the Arden editions of Shakespeare, and because of that have grown used to in-depth explanations, context, wordplay and connotations being noted and brought to my attention throughout the text; this does not happen here. In this way, this Revels Student Edition falls down - perhaps this is because it is expected that for students class work would cover the text in detail.
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Jacobean at its Best
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this play, my first foray into Jacobean literature. Revenge, incest, etc. this play has everything to keep you hooked. I don't as a rule read many plays (Shakespeare excepted) but I thoroughly enjoyed it, now I want to see it on stage it was so good.
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A brilliant play
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This a a brilliant and unique play which deals with a theme which many playwrights would not. It is a classic story of revenge, betrayal and love with disastrous consequences. Although it deals with the difficult theme of incest it does so in a way that by the end you do not find it as shocking as you may expect. In fact there are other much worst happenings within the plot which include murder and corruption in many different forms.
This is really a text which you need to use your own interpretation to understand. The characters are written in such a way that they can be viewed from many angles: both good and bad. It is really a personal choice whose sides you take within the play but it is certainly one that will get you thinking.
'Tis Pity She's A Whore' is a play very typical and representative of the time in which it was written. The women of the play seem to be the main victims whereas the men can easily display some truly terrible behaviour without a second thought. It is a very clear depiction of society and the social hierarchy within the seventeenth century and in my opinion is well worth a read.
I read this as an a/s level text and am so glad I did as I have now discovered the brilliant talent of John Ford. I will definitely be going on to read more of his work. Pick up this book- you won't regret it.
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great revenge play
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Ignore the above review, what this reviewer and i think many people get wrong about these jacobean revenge plays is that you don't have to take the side of a paraticular character or even agree with them. This is however a brilliant play by one of my favourite writers.
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A disturbing play on a forbidden theme.
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Perhaps the most shocking of Ford's plays, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore tackles one of society's greatest taboos. The questions and issues raised are as problematic and controversial today as they were in the seventeenth century. The characters Ford create all have their own views on the subject, yet Ford gives his own backing to none. There is no character who is perfect, no-one who provides a clear, unbiased view on the topic. I found there was no single figure who possessed the moral authority and integrity to denounce Giovanni and Arabella's actions. This lack of moral focus forces the reader to form their own conclusions in this disturbing, almost dangerous play. At the same time, some characters are strangely compelling, as we struggle to understand their situation and search for clues as to how we should react. Although I disliked the theme of the play, (it was not a play I would have chosen to read had not my university course demanded it), at the same time I found some of the characters engaging my interest, even though I disagreed with their actions. This play is a disconcerting exploration of what many would assume to be a fundamental law of society, and nature. And just what is the theme of this play? I'm afraid you'll have to read it to find out - you won't be kept in the dark for long!
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