The Profligate: A Play in Four Acts

by Arthur Wing Pinero

"The Profligate: A Play in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a dramatic work written in the late 19th century. The play explores the complexities of morality and consequence within the context of marriage, centered around leading characters Dunstan Renshaw and Leslie Brudenell. It delves into themes of past indiscretions, societal expectations, and the struggle for redemption. At the start of "The Profligate," we are introduced to the characters in a legal office where Hugh Murray, the best man, grapples with his conflicting feelings about his friend Dunstan's impending marriage to Leslie, a naive girl unaware of Dunstan's troubled past. The tension escalates when it is revealed that Dunstan's former lover, Janet Preece, has approached Hugh for assistance in finding him, showcasing the imminent collision of Dunstan’s past and present. This opening sets the stage for a domestic tragedy that raises questions about love, guilt, and the possibility of redemption amidst societal judgment.