49 pages • 1 hour read
The Changeling
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
The Changeling is a Jacobean tragicomedy written in collaboration between established playwrights Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. It was first performed in 1622 and published in 1653. The play is adapted from John Reynolds’s 1621 story collection titled The Triumphs of Gods Revenge Against the Crying and Execrable Sinne of Willful and Premeditated Murther.
The play has two plots: a tragic main plot and a comedic subplot. Scholars believe Middleton wrote the majority of the main plot (Act II; Act III, Scenes 1, 2, and 4; Act IV, Scenes 1 and 2; and Act V, Scenes 1 and 2), while Rowley wrote the comedic subplot as well as the first act and final scene (Act I; Act III, Scene 3; Act IV, Scene 3; and Act V, Scene 3). The Changeling is considered one of the best tragedies of its time outside of Shakespeare and enjoys popularity still today.
This summary refers to edition published in The Routledge Anthology of Renaissance Drama (2002).
Plot Summary
Tragedy is stirring in Alicante, Spain. Beatrice, sometimes called Joanna, is newly betrothed to Spanish nobleman Alonzo de Piracquo. A lady of wealth and privilege, Beatrice must marry according to the orders of her father, Unlock all 49 pages of this Study Guide Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
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