Subject
Witches -- Drama Books
Best books
Thomas Dekker
Thomas Dekker Edited, with an introduction and notes by Ernest Rhys. Unexpurgated Edition
"Thomas Dekker" by Thomas Dekker is a collection of works by the playwright Thomas Dekker, likely compiled in the late 19th century. This edition highlights some of his most notable plays, including "The Shoemaker's Holiday," "The Honest Whore," "Old Fortunatus," and "The Witch of Edmonton." The collection serves to showcase Dekker's unique blend of humor, realism, and poetic flair, reflecting the social life and sentiments of Elizabethan England, particularly through the lens of common tradesmen and their experiences. The opening portion introduces Dekker's life and career, outlining his initial struggles and the emergence of his talent in the vibrant world of Elizabethan drama. It discusses elements of his biography as recorded in Henslowe's Diary, illuminated by examples from his works that provide insight into his experiences as a playwright and poet. Particularly noteworthy is the beginning of "The Shoemaker's Holiday," which sets up the central plot where Rowland Lacy disguises himself as a Dutch shoemaker to win the affection of the Lord Mayor's daughter, Rose, revealing Dekker's knack for combining comedy with social commentary and character-driven narratives.
Percy MacKaye
The Scarecrow; or The Glass of Truth: A Tragedy of the Ludicrous
"The Scarecrow; or The Glass of Truth: A Tragedy of the Ludicrous" by Percy MacKaye is a play written in 1908. Based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Feathertop," it tells the story of a scarecrow brought to life by a witch and the Devil to seduce a young woman as revenge against her uncle. But the scarecrow develops genuine feelings of his own. When a magical mirror reveals his true nature, he must choose between his artificial existence and something far more meaningful.
Recently surfaced classics