The Plays of W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson

by William Ernest Henley

"The Plays of W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson" by Henley and Stevenson is a collection of dramatic works composed during the late 19th century. The text is composed of several plays, with "Deacon Brodie" highlighted as a central piece, which explores themes of duality and crime through the story of the titular character, Deacon Brodie, who leads a double life as a respected tradesman by day and a criminal by night. At the start of the play "Deacon Brodie," we are introduced to William Brodie, a skilled carpenter and deacon of the Wrights in Edinburgh, who is portrayed as a man of great talent yet deeply entangled in a life of crime. The narrative presents his conflicting existence through conversations with other characters, including family members like Mary, his sister, and his uncle, the Procurator-Fiscal. As Brodie grapples with his dual identity, the opening establishes tensions between his responsibilities to his family and his involvement in criminal activities, foreshadowing the perilous choices he will face. This exploration of morality amidst crime captures a compelling drama that resonates with both internal conflict and societal judgment.