The Tragedy of Mariam

By Elizabeth Cary

Book Overview

First published in 1613, The Tragedy of Mariam, the Fair Queen of Jewry is probably the first play in English known to have been authored by a woman, and it has become increasingly popular in the study of early modern women's writing. The play, which Cary based on the story of Herod and Mariam, turns on a rumour of Herod's death, and unfolds around the actions taken by the patriarch's family and servants in his absence. In part a critique of male power, the play sets gender politics in sharp relief against a background of dynastic conflict and Roman imperialism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1551110431
• ISBN13: 9781551110431
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Broadview Press Inc
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Interesting...

An interesting read, taking place in roughly the same time as Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Not quite as engaging as the latter author, but worthy of investigation nevertheless.

A Woman's Othello

The particular importance of this book lies in the fact that it is the first edition to include the Tragedy of Mariam into its biographical context, by publishing the text with Elizabeth's Cary's biography written by one of her daughter. The editors include a very thorough introduction in which they strongly claim the richness and greatness of the text, not only because it is the first play ever written by an English woman, but also because of its investigation of paramount issues such as gender, politics, and race. In addition to this, the editors include an appendix where they give the readers a chance to know about the original source that Cary might have used in her play.