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Married people -- Drama Books
Best books
William Shakespeare
The Taming of the Shrew
"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare is a comedy written between 1590 and 1592. The play follows Petruchio's courtship and "taming" of Katherina, a headstrong woman considered unmarriageable by other suitors. Through psychological and physical tactics, Petruchio transforms his unwilling bride into an obedient wife. Meanwhile, multiple men compete for Katherina's younger sister Bianca, the more desirable daughter. The play has sparked ongoing controversy about whether it promotes misogyny, yet remains one of Shakespeare's most frequently adapted works.
William Shakespeare
The Winter's Tale
"The Winter's Tale" by William Shakespeare is a play originally published in 1623. When King Leontes becomes consumed by unfounded jealousy, suspecting his pregnant wife of infidelity with his childhood friend, he unleashes a tragedy that shatters his family and kingdom. A baby is abandoned, a oracle is defied, and lives are lost. Sixteen years pass, bringing new love and unexpected revelations that may finally offer redemption and reunion—if the wounds of the past can truly heal.
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.
Henrik Ibsen
The Lady from the Sea
"The Lady from the Sea" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1888. Ellida Wangel, daughter of a lighthouse-keeper, lives in a Norwegian fjord town with her physician husband and two stepdaughters. Haunted by the sea and a mysterious past engagement to a sailor who fled after murder, her life unravels when he returns years later to claim her. Ellida must choose between her former lover and her present husband in this psychological drama exploring freedom, obligation, and the pull of the past.
Hannah Cowley
The Belle's Stratagem
"The Belle's Stratagem" by Hannah Cowley is a romantic comedy written in 1780. When Letitia Hardy discovers her childhood betrothed Doricourt seems unmoved by her charms, she devises a bold deception to win his passionate devotion rather than settle for a loveless marriage. Meanwhile, newlyweds Sir George and Lady Frances Touchwood navigate jealousy and the corrupting influence of fashionable London society. Both plotlines converge at a climactic masquerade ball where wit, virtue, and romantic love challenge the era's social conventions about marriage and women's roles.
William Shakespeare
The Taming of the Shrew
"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare is a comedy written between 1590 and 1592. The play follows Petruchio's courtship and "taming" of Katherina, a headstrong woman initially unwilling to marry. Through psychological and physical tactics, he transforms her into an obedient bride. Meanwhile, suitors compete for Katherina's younger sister Bianca, considered the "ideal" woman. The story unfolds within a framing device where a nobleman tricks a drunken tinker into watching the performance. The play's treatment of gender dynamics has sparked enduring controversy.
William Shakespeare
The Taming of the Shrew
"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare is a comedy written between 1590 and 1592. The play follows Petruchio's controversial courtship of Katherina, a headstrong woman considered an undesirable bride. Through psychological and physical tactics, including denying her food and clothing, Petruchio attempts to "tame" her into an obedient wife. Meanwhile, suitors compete for Katherina's younger sister Bianca, employing disguises and deceptions. The play's treatment of gender relations has sparked ongoing debate about whether it is misogynistic.
William Shakespeare
Cymbeline
"Cymbeline" by William Shakespeare is a play written around 1611 set in Ancient Britain. King Cymbeline's daughter Imogen secretly marries Posthumus, who is banished for his offense. When a wager tests Imogen's faithfulness, deception and jealousy set tragic events in motion. Meanwhile, political tensions rise as Rome demands tribute from Britain. Through disguises, mistaken identities, and long-lost princes hidden in Welsh mountains, the play weaves together themes of innocence, betrayal, and loyalty in a complex tale that blends tragedy, romance, and comedy.
William Shakespeare
Cymbeline
"Cymbeline" by William Shakespeare is a play written around 1611. Set in Ancient Britain, it follows Princess Imogen, who secretly marries Posthumus Leonatus against her father King Cymbeline's wishes. When Posthumus is banished, a cunning Italian lord wagers he can seduce the faithful Imogen. Through deception, disguise, and mistaken identity, the play weaves together themes of innocence and jealousy with kidnapped princes, a scheming queen, political intrigue with Rome, and a series of tragic misunderstandings that threaten to destroy everyone involved.
Arthur Wing Pinero
Trelawny of The "Wells": A Comedietta in Four Acts
"Trelawny of The 'Wells': A Comedietta in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a play written in the late 19th century. This work revolves around the theatrical life and the emotional transitions of its characters, particularly focusing on Rose Trelawny, a young actress on the verge of leaving the stage for a marriage that signifies a departure from her artistic lifestyle. The narrative begins with the elements of humor and drama typical of the theatre scene, highlighting the interactions among theatrical and non-theatrical characters. The opening of the play introduces us to a sitting room in a modest lodging house where preparations are underway for a farewell gathering for Miss Rose Trelawny. As various characters come in and out, we learn that Rose is leaving her acting career behind to marry Arthur Gower, a young man from a respectable family. Conversations among the characters reveal their thoughts on Rose's departure from the profession, their mixed feelings about it, and hints of emotional struggles as they navigate their world, balancing aspirations with societal expectations. The lively dialogue sets a comedic yet poignant tone, establishing the complexities of love and career within the theatrical community.
William Shakespeare
The Winter's Tale
"The Winter's Tale" by William Shakespeare is a play originally published in 1623. When King Leontes becomes consumed by jealousy, he accuses his pregnant wife of betrayal and tears his kingdom apart. His rage leads to devastating consequences: imprisonment, exile, and tragic loss. Sixteen years pass, and a shepherd girl unknowingly holds the key to healing old wounds. This late romance shifts from intense psychological drama to pastoral comedy, blending tragedy with hope as separated families move toward an extraordinary reunion.
W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
The Tenth Man: A Tragic Comedy in Three Acts
"The Tenth Man: A Tragic Comedy in Three Acts" by W. Somerset Maugham is a play written in the early 20th century. The central theme revolves around interpersonal relationships and societal expectations, focusing primarily on the characters of Catherine Winter and George Winter as they navigate the complexities of love, betrayal, and financial ruin intertwined with the pressures of public image. At the start of the play, we are introduced to the drawing-room of Lord Francis Etchingham, where he and his wife discuss their daughter Catherine’s unexpected departure from her husband, George Winter, a powerful financier. As the couple grapples with their daughter’s decision and the potential fallout, it becomes evident that George's influence extends beyond their family dynamics, intertwining with business interests and the public's perception. The dialogue reveals tension between Catherine's need for autonomy and George's manipulative tactics, setting the stage for the moral dilemmas and conflicts that will unfold. This opening portion establishes a gripping narrative that hints at deeper themes of power, integrity, and the consequences of choices within a societal framework, inviting readers into a world where personal desires clash with obligations and reputations.
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