A Bold Stroke for a Husband (eBook)

A Comedy in Five Acts

Hannah Cowley (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
52 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654736265-4 (EAN)

Infos

Hannah Cowley's 'A Bold Stroke for a Husband' presents a vibrant tapestry of 18th-century societal norms, cleverly interweaving elements of comedy and romance. The play revolves around the astute and daring character of Leonora, who navigates the treacherous waters of love and marriage, challenging prevailing gender roles with her wit and resourcefulness. Cowley employs sharp dialogue and engaging character dynamics, reminiscent of contemporary dramatists yet distinctly her own, marking a significant contribution to the comedic landscape of the period. Cowley, a pioneering female playwright in an era dominated by men, defied conventions through her work, often reflecting her own experiences of love, marriage, and independence. Her association with prominent literary circles, along with her advocacy for women's roles in the arts, provided her with a unique perspective that informed her writing. The themes of autonomy and cleverness in 'A Bold Stroke for a Husband' showcase Cowley's keen observation of social constructs, as well as her desire to empower women. This play is highly recommended for readers seeking not only entertainment but also insight into the complexities of 18th-century gender dynamics. Cowley's enchanting narrative and formidable characters will resonate with modern audiences, offering a rich exploration of love's intricacies that is timeless in its appeal.

Autor

Hannah Cowley (1743–1809) was an esteemed English playwright and poet whose work made a significant impact during the late 18th century, an era now referred to as the age of sensibility. Cowley's literary style was heavily influenced by the socio-cultural context of her time, marked by the valorization of emotion and the burgeoning feminist consciousness. In her career, Cowley penned numerous plays, with her most acclaimed being 'The Belle's Stratagem' and 'A Bold Stroke for a Husband.' While the latter does not reach the same fame as the former, it still showcases Cowley's sharp wit and keen understanding of dramatic structure that often centered around themes of marriage, gender roles, and female agency. 'A Bold Stroke for a Husband' is notable for its lively plot and complex characterization, which revealed Cowley's ability to engage with theatrical conventions while simultaneously challenging societal norms. Her work contributed to the 'comedy of manners' genre, with an emphasis on rigorously criticizing and satirizing the status quo of her time. Reminiscent of her contemporaries, such as Sheridan and Goldsmith, Cowley's legacy endures through her innovative contributions to literature and her role in pushing the boundaries of female authorship during a period when women's voices were frequently marginalized.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 16.9.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Essays / Feuilleton
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Lyrik / Dramatik ► Dramatik / Theater
• Schlagworte: 18th century • 18th-century comedy • 18th century drama • 18th-Century England • A Bold Stroke for a Husband play • British Literature • classic theatrical works • comedies • Comedy of Manners • Drama • English comedy of manners • English Drama • English dramatist • English literature • Enlightenment comedy • feminist themes • Gender dynamics • gender roles • Hannah Cowley plays • historical comedy play • historical gender dynamics • historical play • Impostors and imposture • individual agency • linguistic richness • literary commentary on marriage • Madrid • Man-woman relationships • marriage satire • public domain classics • Resourceful heroine • restoration comedy influence • Restoration drama • romantic intrigue • Social satire • Spain • witty dialogue • Women playwrights