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The Duchess of Padua
'The Duchess of Padua' is a five-act play by Oscar Wilde which was originally written for American actress Mary Anderson in 1883. Due to her rejection of the play, it was not performed until 1891 by the American tragedian Lawrence Barrett. He changed the name to "Guido Ferranti", the name of the male lead, and while embraced by critics and praised for its lyrical beauty, it failed with the New York public after three weeks to half-empty houses.
It later appeared in its first publication in German in 1904. Fans of Wilde will delight in this fine play of his.
It later appeared in its first publication in German in 1904. Fans of Wilde will delight in this fine play of his.
108 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1883
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847 people want to read
About the author
Oscar Wilde
5,509 books38.9k followersOscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and his criminal conviction for gross indecency for homosexual acts.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
February 16, 2019
The Duchess of Padua (1883) is a five-act melodramatic tragedy by Oscar Wilde. Unlike his other plays, it was written in blank verse. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term: blank verse is poetry written with regular metrical but unrhymed lines, almost always in iambic pentameter.
Oscar being the little vain and conceited shithead that he is said of this play: "I have no hesitation in saying that it is the masterpiece of all my literary work, the chef d'oeuvre of my youth." Yeah, sure buddy, turns out his critics were a little less enthusiastic. ;) Not only did the actress for whom Oscar wrote this play turned down the role, The Duchess of Padua is just not seen as one of Oscar's major works. It has rarely been discussed or performed.
A reason for that might be that it is so unlike the other plays which Oscar is most famous for. The Duchess of Padua is not a society play – we are a missing our beloved dandy and his witty, cynical lines; the familiar Londonian setting is nowhere to be found – I mean this tale of Renaissance realpolitik, revenge and star-crossed lovers is about as far removed from the sophisticated social ironies of, let's say, The Importance of Being Earnest as you can get. At one point the Duchess actually cries out: Our hearts are two caged birds, trying to kiss across their cages' bars. Alright, Juliet, please shut the fuck up now and stop being so melodramatic.
In terms of style, language and archetypes it draws too heavily on Shakespeare to be considered unique, and we are all just missing Oscar's prose. I'm not saying that Oscar can't write verse, because hot damn he proved me wrong in this play, but his prose is far superior.
However, I still enjoyed this a lot. I loved discovering this other side to Oscar Wilde and I am really impressed by his language skills and that they work within every medium. I said that this play lacks wit and cynicism, but there are still some gems to be found, e.g. in this dull and stupid age of ours, the most eccentric thing a man can do is to have brains. I also highly appreciated the social commentary in regards to the poverty of the lower classes. Lady Macbeth, excuse me, the Duchess of Padua calls out her husband and his luxurious and lavish ways whilst the people in the city are starving and lacking clothes.
And of course, Guido's last outcry: They do not sin at all who sin for love. is just fucking beautiful and very dear to my heart, because Oscar is my little gay trash child and I just want him to be happy and I am so fucking sorry that he had to go through hell for loving a man. <3
As for conscience,The Duchess of Padua tells the story of a young man named Guido who was left in the charge of a man he calls his uncle as a baby. Guido gets a notice to meet a man in Padua in regards to something concerning his parentage. When he arrives in Padua he is convinced by a man named Moranzone to abandon his only friend, Ascanio (the gay subtext was real, you guys), in order to dedicate himself to revenging his father's death at the hands of Simone Gesso, the Duke of Padua.
Conscience is but the name which cowardice
Fleeing from battle scrawls upon its shield.
We are each our own devil, and we makeIn the course of the play Guido finds he has fallen in love with Beatrice, the Duchess of Padua, and it turns out that those feelings are mutual. By this time Guido decides not to kill the Duke, and instead intends to leave his father's dagger at the Duke's bedside to let him know that his life could have been taken but his attacker showed mercy. On the way to the bedchamber, however, Guido is met by Beatrice, who herself stabbed and killed the Duke so that she might be with Guido.
This world our hell.
Murder is hungry, and still cries for more,Guido is appaled at the sin committed on his behalf and rejects Beatrice, claiming that their love has been soiled. She runs from him and when she comes across some guards claims that Guido committed the crime. Guido is brought to trial the next day. Beatrice tries to prevent him from speaking up, for fear that she might be exposed as the killer, but Guido admits to the murder in order to protect her, and so the date for his execution is set.
And Death, his brother, is not satisfied,
But walks the house, and will not go away,
Unless he has a comrade.
Is echo dead, that when I say I love youBeatrice visits Guido in his cell and tells him that she has confessed to the murder but that no one believed her. Before waking Guido, Beatrice drinks the poison that was set aside for Guido, when he discovers this, he shares a kiss with her. When she dies, Guido takes her knife and kills himself (serious Romeo and Juliet meets Macbeth vibes y'all).
There is no answer?
Oscar being the little vain and conceited shithead that he is said of this play: "I have no hesitation in saying that it is the masterpiece of all my literary work, the chef d'oeuvre of my youth." Yeah, sure buddy, turns out his critics were a little less enthusiastic. ;) Not only did the actress for whom Oscar wrote this play turned down the role, The Duchess of Padua is just not seen as one of Oscar's major works. It has rarely been discussed or performed.
A reason for that might be that it is so unlike the other plays which Oscar is most famous for. The Duchess of Padua is not a society play – we are a missing our beloved dandy and his witty, cynical lines; the familiar Londonian setting is nowhere to be found – I mean this tale of Renaissance realpolitik, revenge and star-crossed lovers is about as far removed from the sophisticated social ironies of, let's say, The Importance of Being Earnest as you can get. At one point the Duchess actually cries out: Our hearts are two caged birds, trying to kiss across their cages' bars. Alright, Juliet, please shut the fuck up now and stop being so melodramatic.
In terms of style, language and archetypes it draws too heavily on Shakespeare to be considered unique, and we are all just missing Oscar's prose. I'm not saying that Oscar can't write verse, because hot damn he proved me wrong in this play, but his prose is far superior.
However, I still enjoyed this a lot. I loved discovering this other side to Oscar Wilde and I am really impressed by his language skills and that they work within every medium. I said that this play lacks wit and cynicism, but there are still some gems to be found, e.g. in this dull and stupid age of ours, the most eccentric thing a man can do is to have brains. I also highly appreciated the social commentary in regards to the poverty of the lower classes. Lady Macbeth, excuse me, the Duchess of Padua calls out her husband and his luxurious and lavish ways whilst the people in the city are starving and lacking clothes.
And of course, Guido's last outcry: They do not sin at all who sin for love. is just fucking beautiful and very dear to my heart, because Oscar is my little gay trash child and I just want him to be happy and I am so fucking sorry that he had to go through hell for loving a man. <3
March 17, 2020
Hmm. I wasn’t really into this one. I found it a bit boring, and lacking in the charm and humour that I associate with Oscar Wilde.
October 15, 2023
/why poverty is a christian virtue/ [the duke]
3.5. This is basically Wilde's version of Romeo and Juliet. Revenge, murder, love at first light & a double suicide! What's not to like? The basic plot of this is that Guido Ferranti is staying at the Duke of Padua's estate when he is reached by Lord Moranzone, who tells him that it is Guido's duty to murder the evil Duke and thus avenge Guido's dead father, who was sent to die by the Duke. During his stay and his finally resolving to murder the Duke, he falls in love with the Duchess of Padua, who is candid and helpful to the peasants. The Duchess is apparently also in love with Ferranti, but Guido calls their love impossible for the sin of the planned murder of the Duke being betwixt them. Therefore, he resolves to leave town and neither murder the Duke nor keep in contact with the Duchess. She, however, thinks of their barrier as of the Duke and not sin, so she murders the Duke herself. After this, a trial takes place with a lot of juicy and enjoyable drama, and of course, ends tragically. I quite enjoyed June's monthly Oscar-play, at least much, much more than his first Vera, which oh well, wasn't any good at all. Not quite as good as some of his later works, but a fun play to read, no doubt!
3.5. This is basically Wilde's version of Romeo and Juliet. Revenge, murder, love at first light & a double suicide! What's not to like? The basic plot of this is that Guido Ferranti is staying at the Duke of Padua's estate when he is reached by Lord Moranzone, who tells him that it is Guido's duty to murder the evil Duke and thus avenge Guido's dead father, who was sent to die by the Duke. During his stay and his finally resolving to murder the Duke, he falls in love with the Duchess of Padua, who is candid and helpful to the peasants. The Duchess is apparently also in love with Ferranti, but Guido calls their love impossible for the sin of the planned murder of the Duke being betwixt them. Therefore, he resolves to leave town and neither murder the Duke nor keep in contact with the Duchess. She, however, thinks of their barrier as of the Duke and not sin, so she murders the Duke herself. After this, a trial takes place with a lot of juicy and enjoyable drama, and of course, ends tragically. I quite enjoyed June's monthly Oscar-play, at least much, much more than his first Vera, which oh well, wasn't any good at all. Not quite as good as some of his later works, but a fun play to read, no doubt!
September 7, 2017
Far more romantic than Shakeapeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and, needless to say when talking about Oscar Wilde, very well-written too.
January 23, 2015
Although I am a regular reader and huge fan of Oscar Wilde, I really didn't see this kind of play coming. Although it is nearly impossible for a work of Wilde's to not have its "Wilde-isms" (don't worry, there are plenty in this play), the atmosphere of this play is different. As opposed to being a satirical farce like mosy of the famous plays, this is purely a melodramatic tragedy. I even sensed some Shakespearian influence here.
The basic premise of this play is that a man named Guido wants revenge on the Duke of Padua, who wronged his father (I sense some influence from Hamlet...); to do this, he works for the Duke, but plans to murder him in his sleep. Furthermore, he is also involved in an affair with the Duchess of Padua, who also doesn't like her husband. The twist of this play is that Guido never actually kills the Duke- the Duchess does that. When Guido reacts badly to learning this, the Duchess becomes angry and turns Guido in as the murderer (which he would have been under the normal plan). Guido is sentenced to execution, but the Duchess decides that she wants to die for him because she suddenly regrets her actions against him. So they create a suicide pact and die together in Guido's prison cell.
I think that this is a very cleverly put-together play; the plot is fairly intricate with a twist that I wasn't actually expecting. Although this play is kind of Shakespearean in nature, it doesn't really feel like a Shakespeare play to me, which makes me pretty happy. I get sick of that feeling in plays. I can still tell that this is Oscar Wilde at heart although it follows a different formula than what is usally followed in his plays. I enjoy this very much and I would recommend this play to fans of Wilde- you'll enjoy this play.
Need some Wilde-isms? For some reason, the second citizen has some fantastically witty lines:
SECOND CITIZEN:I like no law at all:
Were there no law there'd be no law-breakers,
So all mean would be virtuous.
GUIDO: My lord, I say this also,
That to spill human blood is deadly sin.
SECOND CITIZEN: Marry, he should tell that to the headsman: 'tis a good
sentiment.
MORANZONE: Is the Duke dead?
SECOND CITIZEN: He has a knife in his heart, which the say is not healthy for any man.
SECOND SOLDIER: What matter? He will get sleep enough when he
is buried. I warrant he'd be glad if we could wake him when he's in the
grave.
The basic premise of this play is that a man named Guido wants revenge on the Duke of Padua, who wronged his father (I sense some influence from Hamlet...); to do this, he works for the Duke, but plans to murder him in his sleep. Furthermore, he is also involved in an affair with the Duchess of Padua, who also doesn't like her husband. The twist of this play is that Guido never actually kills the Duke- the Duchess does that. When Guido reacts badly to learning this, the Duchess becomes angry and turns Guido in as the murderer (which he would have been under the normal plan). Guido is sentenced to execution, but the Duchess decides that she wants to die for him because she suddenly regrets her actions against him. So they create a suicide pact and die together in Guido's prison cell.
I think that this is a very cleverly put-together play; the plot is fairly intricate with a twist that I wasn't actually expecting. Although this play is kind of Shakespearean in nature, it doesn't really feel like a Shakespeare play to me, which makes me pretty happy. I get sick of that feeling in plays. I can still tell that this is Oscar Wilde at heart although it follows a different formula than what is usally followed in his plays. I enjoy this very much and I would recommend this play to fans of Wilde- you'll enjoy this play.
Need some Wilde-isms? For some reason, the second citizen has some fantastically witty lines:
SECOND CITIZEN:I like no law at all:
Were there no law there'd be no law-breakers,
So all mean would be virtuous.
GUIDO: My lord, I say this also,
That to spill human blood is deadly sin.
SECOND CITIZEN: Marry, he should tell that to the headsman: 'tis a good
sentiment.
MORANZONE: Is the Duke dead?
SECOND CITIZEN: He has a knife in his heart, which the say is not healthy for any man.
SECOND SOLDIER: What matter? He will get sleep enough when he
is buried. I warrant he'd be glad if we could wake him when he's in the
grave.
Read
July 30, 2012(Read as part of the Complete Works of Oscar Wilde.)
Call me crazy, but I rather sort of enjoy these tragedies and melodramas of Wilde's. They're a bit unusual compared to his high society satires, but I've never been a huge fan of satirical writing. He pulls it off well, but by nature I tend to lean towards a better appreciation of tragedies and melodramas. Excuse me while I paint my fingernails black.
There's no way to not compare this to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; unless, of course, you've never read Romeo and Juliet in which case I have to ask "How is the weather on Mars, anyway?" There's a family vendetta, a couple star-crossed lovers, and some dying and stuff.
Of course in five Acts Wilde made it seem a bit more entertaining that my summary can provide.
Now, that being said... because I've been reading so much of Wilde's writing lately, I can't help but think he's being funny at times, even when he might not be. So occasionally his lines in these melodramas make me giggle, which then makes me think I'm a rotten whore-face.
But, c'mon!
That smells funny, right?
Call me crazy, but I rather sort of enjoy these tragedies and melodramas of Wilde's. They're a bit unusual compared to his high society satires, but I've never been a huge fan of satirical writing. He pulls it off well, but by nature I tend to lean towards a better appreciation of tragedies and melodramas. Excuse me while I paint my fingernails black.
There's no way to not compare this to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; unless, of course, you've never read Romeo and Juliet in which case I have to ask "How is the weather on Mars, anyway?" There's a family vendetta, a couple star-crossed lovers, and some dying and stuff.
Of course in five Acts Wilde made it seem a bit more entertaining that my summary can provide.
Now, that being said... because I've been reading so much of Wilde's writing lately, I can't help but think he's being funny at times, even when he might not be. So occasionally his lines in these melodramas make me giggle, which then makes me think I'm a rotten whore-face.
But, c'mon!
That smells funny, right?
October 13, 2022
I will be distraught when I run out of Oscar Wilde material to read. His propensity for wit is boundless and it’s an absolute shame that his output isn’t quadrupled in size. The Duchess of Padua is absolutely one of his best plays, and is very Shakespearean in its frequent twists and impulsive characterizations. The dialogue is outstanding, and while the character motivations can be trivial at times, Wilde is making strong observations on the hypocrisies of government and society. This should be more widely read.
August 3, 2014
Love. Revenge. Treachery.
This play contains all these elements in equal parts. It also talks of the difference between a man's love and a woman's. A man gives just a part of his life when he is in love but the woman gives her whole. The tragic ending,the dying in each other's arms,was as dramatic as it could be. The words in which Guido expresses his love couldn't have been more beautiful. The plot isn't much good but Wilde's words make up for it.
This play contains all these elements in equal parts. It also talks of the difference between a man's love and a woman's. A man gives just a part of his life when he is in love but the woman gives her whole. The tragic ending,the dying in each other's arms,was as dramatic as it could be. The words in which Guido expresses his love couldn't have been more beautiful. The plot isn't much good but Wilde's words make up for it.
February 27, 2016
Wasn't bad but eh
March 11, 2017
"We are each our own devil , And we make this world our hell."
|
"Were there no law there'd be no law-breakers , So all men would be virtuous."
|
There is no love , Where there is any guilt."
|
"People who shout so loud , My lords , Do nothing; The only men I fear are silent men."
|
"Were there no law there'd be no law-breakers , So all men would be virtuous."
|
There is no love , Where there is any guilt."
|
"People who shout so loud , My lords , Do nothing; The only men I fear are silent men."
October 8, 2010
I guess being of Italian blood makes me too sentimental. But I enjoyed this play very much. I am sure love stories are mostly a dime a dozen, but give me a break! I liked it.
March 16, 2020
"People who shout so loud, my lords, do nothing; the only men I fear are silent men."
Let me start my review by saying that Oscar Wilde is a remarkable author, he's a freaking genius! His narratives are really compelling and his characters are very original. I loved this play and all of his other works. This play has everything, romance, revenge, mystery, suspense and much more.
Wilde himself described the play saying: "I have no hesitation in saying that it is the masterpiece of all my literary work, the chef d'oeuvre of my youth." The play is deftly constructed in five short acts, and is written in a strain of blank verse that is always melodious, often eloquent, and sometimes freighted with fanciful figures of rare beauty. It is less a tragedy, however, than a melodrama...the radical defect of the work is insincerity. No one in it is natural.
However The Duchess of Padua is not regarded as one of Wilde's major works, and has rarely been performed or discussed. His tale of Renaissance real politic, revenge and big love is about as far removed from the sophisticated social ironies of The Importance of Being Earnest as you can get. Shakespearean archetypes stand behind the action - especially Lady Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet - but the smoothness of the verse means Wilde's characters never burn with the knotty tormented passion of their dramatic forebears. Basically, it's Victorian melodrama.
If you haven't read any of Oscar Wilde's other works then I don't know what you have been doing with your life.
Let me start my review by saying that Oscar Wilde is a remarkable author, he's a freaking genius! His narratives are really compelling and his characters are very original. I loved this play and all of his other works. This play has everything, romance, revenge, mystery, suspense and much more.
Wilde himself described the play saying: "I have no hesitation in saying that it is the masterpiece of all my literary work, the chef d'oeuvre of my youth." The play is deftly constructed in five short acts, and is written in a strain of blank verse that is always melodious, often eloquent, and sometimes freighted with fanciful figures of rare beauty. It is less a tragedy, however, than a melodrama...the radical defect of the work is insincerity. No one in it is natural.
However The Duchess of Padua is not regarded as one of Wilde's major works, and has rarely been performed or discussed. His tale of Renaissance real politic, revenge and big love is about as far removed from the sophisticated social ironies of The Importance of Being Earnest as you can get. Shakespearean archetypes stand behind the action - especially Lady Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet - but the smoothness of the verse means Wilde's characters never burn with the knotty tormented passion of their dramatic forebears. Basically, it's Victorian melodrama.
If you haven't read any of Oscar Wilde's other works then I don't know what you have been doing with your life.
October 5, 2009
Nearly like Romeo and Juliet with elements of Macbeth. Duchess of Padua is in love with Guido and she kills her husband, but Guido is accused of the murder and put in jail waiting for execution. She gets into his cell and drinks poison to help him to escape.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2010
The Duchess of Padua is one of Oscar Wilde's plays which I did rather like, even if some of the dialogue was a bit straining and I didn't really care for the lovers one bit. But it was interesting at least and a pleasant read.
March 22, 2013
Oscar Wilde channeling William Shakespeare. Weird, wonderful and utterly convincing. For an extended presentation, please visit my blog here: http://tesatorul.blogspot.ro/2013/03/....
July 13, 2016
If it wasn't for the Duchess' monologues on her role and being a woman (which were A+) this would've been a two star read for me, the plot was chaotic and I found the characters to be underwhelming. Mostly it was disappointing, with occasional brilliance.
March 7, 2016
Ok I guess. Somehow reminded me of Romeo and Juliet but didn't really keep me interested the whole time.
Want to read
June 11, 2012Wilde, Oscar
The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
In compilation only.
The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
In compilation only.
December 26, 2016
- Sweet, it was not yourself, it was some devil tempted you.
- No, no! We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.
- No, no! We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.
June 2, 2023
Feels Shakespeare at some point
June 23, 2023
The duchess deserved better
Read
September 18, 2024None of this would have happened if guido could make up his mind
December 22, 2022
"People who shout so loud , My lords , Do nothing; The only men I fear are silent men."
After reading a flurry of Oscar Wilde works for the past few weeks, this was jarring. The melodrama... the romance... nail-biting, gripping etc etc. This was just completely different than his more humorous, light hearted commentaries about the aristocracy and I loved it. It has the tragedy of Romeo & Juliet but far more intriguing. I went back and forth with their fevered romance so much, and Wilde's mastery of dialogue just had you flipping the pages obsessively.
I don't know... the Duchess is kind of iconic. I support women's rights and wrongs, frankly.
After reading a flurry of Oscar Wilde works for the past few weeks, this was jarring. The melodrama... the romance... nail-biting, gripping etc etc. This was just completely different than his more humorous, light hearted commentaries about the aristocracy and I loved it. It has the tragedy of Romeo & Juliet but far more intriguing. I went back and forth with their fevered romance so much, and Wilde's mastery of dialogue just had you flipping the pages obsessively.
I don't know... the Duchess is kind of iconic. I support women's rights and wrongs, frankly.
January 10, 2025
Another tragic love story. Somewhat similar to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, however I enjoyed this one a lot better.
Some quotes from the play:
“I have split blood tonight, you shall spill more, so we go hand in hand to heaven or to hell.”
“The world’s a graveyard, and we each, like coffins, within us bear a skeleton.”
“Your lips are roses that death cannot wither.”
“I do not care: Death has no power on love”
“When Love and Death are both our cup-bearers; we love and die together.”
Some quotes from the play:
“I have split blood tonight, you shall spill more, so we go hand in hand to heaven or to hell.”
“The world’s a graveyard, and we each, like coffins, within us bear a skeleton.”
“Your lips are roses that death cannot wither.”
“I do not care: Death has no power on love”
“When Love and Death are both our cup-bearers; we love and die together.”
August 10, 2025
melodramatic as ever
August 3, 2025
Beautiful prose and an even more beautiful message about the purifying nature of Love
January 31, 2025
A revenge drama in the style of Elizabethan tragedies, with rather too much Romeo and Juliet in the fifth act
February 8, 2015
It's not bad. But it's just not that good, either.
The play starts with Guido and Ascanio in Padua. Guido is telling his friend about this guy that's supposed to meet up with him, and his friend is telling him that he might not come, then, suddenly Moranzone shows up. Guido tells his friend to go away for a bit while he and Moranzone talks. Moranzone tells Guido a bit about his father and tells him that the Duke of Padua was responsible for his father's death. Guido eats this up. Moranzone then tells Guido that he has to abandon his friend just to get revenge. Guido falls for this and tells Ascanio to go away.
Some time passes and Guido is all buddy buddy with the Duke. The Duke is a raging asshole and almost has some people killed for being broke as hell. The Duchess, Beatrice, intervenes for them and gives them money for bread. The Duke is pissed about it but he doesn't notice that Guido and Beatrice have a thing for each other. The Court leaves and Beatrice is alone. She really has a thing for Guido and wonders how and why he's buddy buddy with an asshole like the Duke, Simone. Guido comes back and they declare their love for each other. As they're kissing, a servant drops off Guido's dagger which is a sign from Moranzone that it's time to get revenge. Then Guido throws her love back in her face and tells her that he has to get revenge.
Later, Moranzone asks Guido if he's ready to get revenge. Guido decides not to kill Simome and instead decides to leave a note instead. Moranzone flips his shit and tells Guido he's a bad son for not getting revenge and says that this is Beatrice's fault. Moranzone leaves and Guido prays that he's doing the right thing. Beatrice comes in and tells Guido that it's okay because she killed Simone so they can be together. Guido flips his shit and tells her that he's not going to run away with her because she killed Simone. Beatrice is telling him about the difference between the love of men and the love of women and then she goes away. Guido feels bad and he's all like “wait no I'm sorry ily let's run away” but it's too late because Beatrice, being a vengeful bitch, decides to call the guards and frame Guido.
Guido is feeling hella salty before the trial and decides that he's going to expose Queen Bitch Beatrice. Then the trial starts and Beatrice decides to not let Guido speak because she's afraid that he's going to expose her. Then the Judges give him the right to speak and Guido doesn't expose Beatrice and lies for her. Queen Bitch Beatrice faints because being vengeful is hard work.
Night comes. Beatrice wants to come see Guido in jail. The guards let her in because she's in a disguise. Beatrice feels really bad now. See, she told the truth to the Judges but they don't believe her. She finds the poison left near Guido and drinks it. Then she wakes Guido and he tells her that he forgives her. Beatrice tells Guildo to leave but he refuses. Guido discovers that Beatrice drank his poison and then she dies in his arms. Then Guido stabs himself with Beatrice's dagger.
That's it.
That's how it ends.
It was dramatic, I'll give Oscar that, but I don't care for how quickly Guido believed Moranzone and abandoned his friend. Nor do I care for the way Beatrice conducted herself after killing he husband, but I guess it's realistic enough. I don't really have much to say since I started reading this when I was sleepy but unable to sleep. But what really bothered me is how they flip flopped between hate and love. But that's how relationships work, I guess.
The play starts with Guido and Ascanio in Padua. Guido is telling his friend about this guy that's supposed to meet up with him, and his friend is telling him that he might not come, then, suddenly Moranzone shows up. Guido tells his friend to go away for a bit while he and Moranzone talks. Moranzone tells Guido a bit about his father and tells him that the Duke of Padua was responsible for his father's death. Guido eats this up. Moranzone then tells Guido that he has to abandon his friend just to get revenge. Guido falls for this and tells Ascanio to go away.
Some time passes and Guido is all buddy buddy with the Duke. The Duke is a raging asshole and almost has some people killed for being broke as hell. The Duchess, Beatrice, intervenes for them and gives them money for bread. The Duke is pissed about it but he doesn't notice that Guido and Beatrice have a thing for each other. The Court leaves and Beatrice is alone. She really has a thing for Guido and wonders how and why he's buddy buddy with an asshole like the Duke, Simone. Guido comes back and they declare their love for each other. As they're kissing, a servant drops off Guido's dagger which is a sign from Moranzone that it's time to get revenge. Then Guido throws her love back in her face and tells her that he has to get revenge.
Later, Moranzone asks Guido if he's ready to get revenge. Guido decides not to kill Simome and instead decides to leave a note instead. Moranzone flips his shit and tells Guido he's a bad son for not getting revenge and says that this is Beatrice's fault. Moranzone leaves and Guido prays that he's doing the right thing. Beatrice comes in and tells Guido that it's okay because she killed Simone so they can be together. Guido flips his shit and tells her that he's not going to run away with her because she killed Simone. Beatrice is telling him about the difference between the love of men and the love of women and then she goes away. Guido feels bad and he's all like “wait no I'm sorry ily let's run away” but it's too late because Beatrice, being a vengeful bitch, decides to call the guards and frame Guido.
Guido is feeling hella salty before the trial and decides that he's going to expose Queen Bitch Beatrice. Then the trial starts and Beatrice decides to not let Guido speak because she's afraid that he's going to expose her. Then the Judges give him the right to speak and Guido doesn't expose Beatrice and lies for her. Queen Bitch Beatrice faints because being vengeful is hard work.
Night comes. Beatrice wants to come see Guido in jail. The guards let her in because she's in a disguise. Beatrice feels really bad now. See, she told the truth to the Judges but they don't believe her. She finds the poison left near Guido and drinks it. Then she wakes Guido and he tells her that he forgives her. Beatrice tells Guildo to leave but he refuses. Guido discovers that Beatrice drank his poison and then she dies in his arms. Then Guido stabs himself with Beatrice's dagger.
That's it.
That's how it ends.
It was dramatic, I'll give Oscar that, but I don't care for how quickly Guido believed Moranzone and abandoned his friend. Nor do I care for the way Beatrice conducted herself after killing he husband, but I guess it's realistic enough. I don't really have much to say since I started reading this when I was sleepy but unable to sleep. But what really bothered me is how they flip flopped between hate and love. But that's how relationships work, I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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