Subject
Marriage -- Drama Books
Best books
Henrik Ibsen
A Doll's House : a play
"A Doll's House : a play by Henrik Ibsen" is a three-act play written in 1879. Set in a Norwegian town, it follows Nora Helmer, a married woman navigating life in a male-dominated society where opportunities for self-fulfillment are scarce. When a figure from her past threatens to expose a secret financial transgression, Nora faces a crisis that challenges everything she knows about her marriage and identity. The play sparked outraged controversy upon its premiere and remains one of the most performed works in theater history.
Oscar Wilde
Lady Windermere's Fan
"Lady Windermere's Fan" by Oscar Wilde is a four-act comedy first performed in 1892. When Lady Windermere suspects her husband of having an affair with the mysterious Mrs Erlynne, she confronts him—only to watch him invite this woman to her birthday ball. Outraged and heartbroken, Lady Windermere turns to another admirer who has confessed his love. But Mrs Erlynne harbors a secret that will change everything, leading to a choice between scandal and sacrifice that tests the bonds of marriage and motherhood.
Bernard Shaw
Candida
"Candida" by Bernard Shaw is a comedy written in 1894. A young poet falls in love with Candida, the wife of a successful clergyman, and attempts to win her away from what he sees as her mundane domestic life. The play challenges Victorian assumptions about love and marriage, asking what women truly desire from their husbands. Candida must ultimately choose between her devoted husband and her passionate admirer—but her choice reveals unexpected truths about strength, dependency, and the nature of love itself.
Bernard Shaw
Getting Married
"Getting Married" by Bernard Shaw is a play first performed in 1908. When a bride and groom each discover a troubling pamphlet about marriage laws on their wedding day, they refuse to proceed with the ceremony. As family members gather, they debate divorce, contracts, and the future of marriage itself. Through witty dialogue and satirical exchanges, Shaw examines the legal and social constraints of matrimony in Edwardian England, questioning whether marriage can be reformed or must simply be endured.
Bernard Shaw
How He Lied to Her Husband
"How He Lied to Her Husband" by Bernard Shaw is a one-act comedy play written in 1904. Created in just four days as a response to the success of his earlier work "Candida," this satirical farce follows a tangled situation involving a poet, his muse, and her husband. When compromising love poems go missing, panic ensues—but the confrontation takes an unexpected turn that subverts romantic assumptions. Shaw transforms a hackneyed theatrical framework into sharp commentary on marriage, vanity, and melodramatic conventions.
Henrik Ibsen
A Doll's House
"A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen is a three-act play written in 1879. Set in a Norwegian town, the play follows Nora Helmer, a married woman struggling for self-fulfillment in a male-dominated world. When a desperate bank employee threatens to expose a secret loan Nora obtained by forging her father's signature, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel. The play sparked outraged controversy at its premiere and became a theatrical sensation that transcended the stage, igniting debates throughout society.
Bernard Shaw
The Philanderer
"The Philanderer" by George Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1893. Leonard Charteris juggles romantic entanglements with multiple women, including widow Grace Tranfield and the volatile Julia Craven. Set against the backdrop of London's progressive Ibsen Club, the comedy explores marriage, jealousy, and the consequences of Charteris's self-proclaimed inability to resist female attention. Shaw crafted two endings—one conventional, one daringly subversive—for this satire of Victorian relationships and social hypocrisy, published as part of his provocative "Plays Unpleasant" collection.
Jesse Lynch Williams
Why Marry?
"Why Marry?" by Jesse Lynch Williams is a comedy play written in the early 20th century. It explores the complexities of love, marriage, and societal expectations through a spirited cast of characters in a country house setting, particularly focusing on Jean, the younger sister of the host, and her interactions with her fiancé Rex, alongside the more established relationships of Helen and Ernest. The play tackles themes of traditional vs. modern views on marriage and the struggles of individuals to assert their desires in a changing world. The opening of the play sets up a light-hearted yet insightful tone as it introduces the characters at a weekend gathering. Jean is portrayed as playful and somewhat carefree, while Rex is depicted as charming yet uncommitted, and their playful banter quickly establishes the dynamic between potential love interests. The scene also highlights the contrasting characters of Helen and Ernest, who embody more modern values and face the tension between career ambitions and romantic relationships. As Jean grapples with her feelings and the expectations placed upon her, the audience is drawn into a comedic exploration of romantic aspirations against societal norms, setting the stage for a deeper examination of marriage as the narrative unfolds.
John Lydgate
The Disguising at Hertford
"The Disguising at Hertford" by John Lydgate is a verse play written around the early 15th century, likely during the late medieval period. This theatrical work explores themes of marriage and domestic discord through a humorous lens, showcasing the trials and tribulations faced by husbands under the rule of their strong-willed wives. Set against the backdrop of royal festivities at Hertford Castle, the play is a lively examination of gender dynamics and the nature of power in marital relationships. The plot unfolds as a group of husbands presents a complaint to the king, expressing their grievances about the domineering behavior of their wives. Each husband shares his amusing woes, illustrating the challenges of marriage and the social expectations placed upon both men and women. The wives, responding with equal fervor, assert their own perspectives and rights, adding a layer of complexity to the dialogue. The king, acting as an impartial judge, refrains from delivering an immediate judgment, prompting a deeper exploration of the societal norms surrounding marriage and authority. Ultimately, the play’s resolution invites the audience to reflect on the balance of power within domestic life, wrapped in the comedic exchanges between the characters.
Bernard Shaw
Candida: Ein Mysterium in drei Akten
"Candida: Ein Mysterium in drei Akten" by Bernard Shaw is a comedy written in 1894. A young poet falls desperately in love with Candida, wife of a famous clergyman, and attempts to rescue her from domestic life. He views her as divine and believes she deserves more than her marriage offers. Her husband assumes she needs his protection, but the reality differs dramatically. Candida must ultimately choose between two men who love her—each offering vastly different visions of devotion. Her choice challenges Victorian assumptions about love and marriage.
W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
Landed Gentry: A Comedy in Four Acts
"Landed Gentry: A Comedy in Four Acts" by W. Somerset Maugham is a play likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative explores the complexities of social class and morality, focusing on the lives of the Insoley family, particularly Claude Insoley, as they navigate the pressures of societal expectations and personal dilemmas in rural England. The play delves into themes of reputation, the consequences of scandal, and the burgeoning class tensions of the time. At the start of "Landed Gentry," a gamekeeper, Gann, arrives at the residence of Claude Insoley. Claude informs Gann that his daughter, Peggy, who has returned from London under distressing circumstances, must leave the estate due to established rules concerning moral conduct. Tension heightens as Gann pleads for compassion, insisting that Peggy deserves a second chance, and this sparks discussions among various characters about the rigid social mores tied to land ownership and reputation. Meanwhile, Grace Insoley openly expresses her discontent with her life and the stifling nature of her surroundings, hinting at deeper conflicts within her marriage to Claude and foreshadowing trouble ahead as they navigate the fallout from Peggy’s predicament.
Allan Monkhouse
Mary Broome: A Comedy, in Four Acts
"Mary Broome: A Comedy, in Four Acts" by Allan Monkhouse is a play written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Mary Broome, a housemaid whose life takes a dramatic turn when the son of her employer becomes embroiled in an unexpected romantic entanglement with her. The play delves into themes of class, responsibility, and societal expectations, highlighting the contrasts between the lives of the upper middle class and their servants. At the start of the play, we are introduced to the various characters in the setting of a suburban home, preparing for an upcoming wedding. As preparations unfold, tension arises as Edgar Timbrell expresses his concerns about his best man, Leonard, who is depicted as charming yet irresponsible. The dynamics between the characters, particularly between Mary and Leonard, unfold in a way that hints at deeper issues, as Mary later confronts Leonard about his plans and intentions, leading to a moment of honesty that challenges societal norms regarding class and familial duty. The opening sets the stage for a complex exploration of these social themes as the characters navigate their relationships and the implications of their actions.
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