Plays and Poems

by George Chapman

An anthology containing a selection of George Chapman's poetry and plays, including Bussy D'Ambois, All Fooles, and the Widdowes Teares. In the PENGUIN DRAMATISTS series.

Genres: Poetry, Plays, Classics, Drama

448 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2010

About the author

George Chapman (c. 1559 – 12 May 1634) was an English dramatist, translator, and poet. He was a classical scholar whose work shows the influence of Stoicism. Chapman has been identified as the Rival Poet of Shakespeare's sonnets by William Minto, and as an anticipator of the Metaphysical Poets of the 17th century. Chapman is best remembered for his translations of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey (as commemorated by Keats), and the Homeric Batrachomyomachia.

Reviews

[James Violand · Rating 1 out of 5]

Embarrassing. I now hold a grudge against a man dead for 500 years because I wasted my time reading the works of his mediocre talent. The bitter, misanthropic personality of the egoist Chapman is excruciating. If you share his perspective, you should still avoid this edition. The editors have intentionally retained the original spelling. The result? Reading becomes a burden and not entertaining. Since the original purpose of the work is assumed to be entertainment, this edition fails.
All Fooles
Terence did it better. Chapman combines two of the Roman Dramatist’s best and fails to even approach the originals. While other playwrights during the English Renaissance aspired to greatness of the human spirit, Chapman seems to claim a scholar’s knowledge but appeals to the audience’s basest urges while expecting them to be the best educated. Morality is nonsense to him and fools are they who have morals.

Bussy D'Amboi
A violent man of honor rejects a high appointed position by insulting everyone and seducing the wife of the King’s brother who had originally given him the position. So why is this considered Chapman’s greatest play? I couldn’t care less. I could not identify with any character – they are all vile.

The Widdowes Teares
Terrible. Let us divorce ourselves from reality by rejecting common sense and human nature.
Poems
Unbearable.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poems are too discursive and moralistic to be good—and while the dramatic work is pretty unoriginal, Chapman’s lyrical skill is obvious where in the poems it is diluted.

[Alex Norcross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read "The Blind Beggar of Alexandia." I hope its funnier on the stage.