Five Restoration Tragedies

'Five Restoration Tragedies' offers a definitive look at the evolution of serious drama during one of the most vibrant periods in the history of the English stage. Following the restoration of the monarchy, playwrights moved away from Elizabethan models to embrace new forms of tragedy that emphasized heroic virtue, political conflict, and domestic pathos. This collection brings together five essential plays that exemplify the stylistic shifts and thematic preoccupations of late 17th-century and early 18th-century theater.The works included in this volume, such as John Dryden’s 'All for Love' and Thomas Otway’s 'Venice Preserv’d', showcase the era’s fascination with the tensions between public duty and private desire. These plays are characterized by their elevated language, emotional intensity, and sophisticated structure. Also featured are significant tragedies by Thomas Southerne, Nicholas Rowe, and Joseph Addison, providing a comprehensive overview of how the genre adapted to changing social and moral climates. Whether exploring the fall of ancient empires or the personal tragedies of common individuals, these plays remain powerful examples of dramatic storytelling. This collection serves as a vital resource for anyone interested in the development of English literature and the enduring power of the tragic form.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.