Duchess of Malfi (New Mermaids)

Simply the greatest play ever written in English, it revolutionized the understanding of what drama could achieve. Its pure English and intensely focused structure are still unrivaled. No other classical English play contains so much or has such an intensely comprehensive philosophy. Only Webster could make the line "I am Duchess of Malfi still," into the epitome of the emotional depth...more

Simply the greatest play ever written in English, it revolutionized the understanding of what drama could achieve. Its pure English and intensely focused structure are still unrivaled. No other classical English play contains so much or has such an intensely comprehensive philosophy. Only Webster could make the line "I am Duchess of Malfi still," into the epitome of the emotional depth drama can express. If you haven't read it do. Even better, see it (though it's strongly visual language makes it a play that reads well as well as staging well).   hide