Product Description

John Ford's tragedy, first printed in 1633, is the first major English play to take as its theme a subject still rarely handled: fulfilled incest between brother and sister. It is one of the most studied and performed of all plays of the period, and has been successfully adapted for film and radio. The Revels plays edition by Derek Roper has been the standard scholarly edition since it appeared in 1975. This new edition uses the same authoritative text, but with notes designed for modern undergraduate use. The substantial introduction has been completely rewritten to take account of the studies and new approaches of the last twenty years. it presents the play as an 'interrogative text', in which subversive meanings are inscribed within an apparently orthodox narrative; as a courageous treatment of forbidden love; and as an achieved work of Baroque art.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #280695 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-17
• Format: Student Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

A Great Play - but I wouldn't choose this edition again...
'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.

Jacobean at its Best
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.

A brilliant play
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.