A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 07

"A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 07" by Robert Dodsley is a compilation of classical English dramatic works dated from the early 18th century. This volume specifically includes several plays, most notably "Tancred and Gismunda," along with other titles such as "The Wounds of Civil War" and "Mucedorus." The contents reflect themes of love, tragedy, and socio-political conflict, revealing the cultural and artistic landscape of earlier English theater. The opening of this collection introduces "Tancred and Gismunda," a tragic tale of forbidden love and familial strife. In the early scenes, the character Gismunda mourns her deceased husband, struggling with her father's intense love and the pressure to remain widowed. Meanwhile, scenes depict the father, King Tancred, grappling with his emotions as he confronts the reality of Gismunda's hidden affections for the Count of Palurin. The interplay of longing and despair is artfully presented, foreshadowing the tragic collapse that lies in wait, as each character’s fate becomes entwined with the destructive forces of love and revenge. These opening exchanges set the tone for an exploration of the depths of human emotion, hinging on love's power to evoke both joy and sorrow.

A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 07, from the public domain. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #10336.