

Set against the turbulent aftermath of King Edward’s reign, this five‑act tragedy opens in the Duke of Gloucester’s council chamber, where power-hungry nobles plot the future of the realm. The dialogue crackles with ambition, distrust, and the fragile promises of a new protector poised to claim the throne. As courtiers weigh loyalty against self‑interest, the audience is drawn into a world where political maneuvering threatens to eclipse the very notion of honor.
At the heart of the storm is Jane Shore, once a celebrated beauty now reduced to a figure of sorrow and longing. Her plight is reflected in intimate scenes of grief, especially the tender exchange between her and her sister‑in‑law, Alicia, which foregrounds the personal cost of public betrayal. The play promises a poignant exploration of compassion, reputation, and the fragile line between redemption and ruin.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (76K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net
Release date
2009-11-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1674–1718
A major voice of early 18th-century English theater, this playwright and poet is best remembered for popular tragedies like The Fair Penitent and Jane Shore, as well as for helping shape how readers first encountered Shakespeare in print. Appointed Poet Laureate in 1715, he brought together drama, poetry, and literary editing in one busy career.
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