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 18
... Rowe effectively presents female dissatisfaction with the status quo in dramatically central speeches " ( 29 ) . By using these devices , Dammers held that Rowe was able to bring about an uneasiness in those who were watching or reading ...
... Rowe effectively presents female dissatisfaction with the status quo in dramatically central speeches " ( 29 ) . By using these devices , Dammers held that Rowe was able to bring about an uneasiness in those who were watching or reading ...
Page 82
... Rowe's play certainly found a positive reception in the audiences of his day . Despite all the politics in Tamerlane , Rowe was able to experiment further with the development of female strength as seen in the character of Arpasia ...
... Rowe's play certainly found a positive reception in the audiences of his day . Despite all the politics in Tamerlane , Rowe was able to experiment further with the development of female strength as seen in the character of Arpasia ...
Page 127
... Rowe was able to weave within the story of Jane Shore a belief in an individual woman's ability to stand on her own ... Rowe illustrated the problem of society both in the strong words of Jane and the normal response of the society ...
... Rowe was able to weave within the story of Jane Shore a belief in an individual woman's ability to stand on her own ... Rowe illustrated the problem of society both in the strong words of Jane and the normal response of the society ...
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 | |
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actresses Alexander Pope Altamont Anne Arpasia Artemisa audience Bajazet Barry believed Betterton Calista Catholic Charles Gildon Church Cibber Colley Cibber Congreve critics Curll Dammers death developed Dobrée dramatic Drury Lane Theatre Dryden early eighteenth century edition Edward England epilogue Fair Penitent father female characters female hero female roles feminism feminist feminist hero Gildon Guilford heroic historical husband ideas incipient feminist issue Jacob Tonson Jane Grey Jane Shore Jane's Jenkins John king Lady Jane Lady Jane Grey Lincoln's Inn Fields literary London Lothario male marriage Mary Moneses neoclassical neoclassicism Nicholas Rowe offered Otway performance playwrights poem poet poetic poetry political popular production published Queen Richard Rowe was able Rowe wrote Rowe's plays Rowe's writings scholars Shakespeare she-tragedy stage story strength strong female strong woman Susannah Centlivre Tamerlane throne Tragedy of Jane tragic hero Ulysses Whigs wife women women's rights written