The Changeling

Revised Edition

Thomas Middleton, William Rowley, Michael Neill, Michael Neill

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781474290265
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literary Criticism in Drama
• Index: Literature

"The next good mood I find my father in, I'll get him quite discarded" With these chillingly offhand words, Beatrice-Joanna, the spoilt daughter of a powerful nobleman, plots to get rid of the family servant who has crossed her once too often. The Changeling 's vivid tale of sexual appetite, repulsion, betrayal and lunacy remains one of the most compelling tragedies of the 17th century. Exposing the vexed relationship between servants and masters, setting notions of `change' against the revelation of psychological 'secrets' as ways of explaining human behaviour, and exploring the idea of love as a `tame madness', the play reveals the terrifying consequences of ungoverned sexual appetite and betrayal. Featuring the full and modernized play text, this revised edition includes incisive commentary notes which explain the nuances of the play's vibrant, colloquial language and demonstrate its sly delight in the characters' conscious and unconscious wordplay. Michael Neill's illuminating introduction provides a firm grounding in the play's socio-political context, demonstrates how careful close-reading can expand your enjoyment of the play, explains the play's violent linkage of comic and tragic plots and gives theatrical life to the text via a discussion of its stage history, with a particular emphasis on the most interesting recent productions.
The New Mermaids plays offer:
· Modernized versions of the play text edited to the highest textual standards
· Fully annotated student editions with obscure words explained and critical, contextual and staging insight provided on each page
· Full Introductions analyzing context, themes, author background and stage history

ACT 1. [SCENE 1.]

Enter ALSEMERO

[ALSEMERO]

’Twas in the temple where I first beheld her,

And now again the same – what omen yet

Follows of that? None but imaginary.

Why should my hopes of fate be timorous?

5 The place is holy, so is my intent;

I love her beauties to the holy purpose,

And that, methinks, admits comparison

With man’s first creation – the place blest,

And is his right home back, if he achieve it.

10 The church hath first begun our interview,

And that’s the place must join us into one,

So there’s beginning and perfection too.

Enter JASPERINO

JASPERINO

O sir, are you here? Come, the wind’s fair with you:

You’re like to have a swift and pleasant passage.

ALSEMERO

15 Sure you’re deceivèd, friend – ’tis contrary

In my best judgement.

JASPERINO What, for Malta?

If you could buy a gale amongst the witches,

They could not serve you such a lucky penn’orth

As comes a’ God’s name.

ALSEMERO Even now I observed

20 The temple’s vane to turn full in my face;

I know it is against me.

JASPERINO Against you?

Then you know not where you are.

ALSEMERO Not well indeed.

JASPERINO

Are you not well, sir?

ALSEMERO Yes, Jasperino –

Unless there be some hidden malady

Within me that I understand not.

25 JASPERINO And that

I begin to doubt, sir: I never knew

Your inclination to travels at a pause

With any cause to hinder it till now.

Ashore you were wont to call your servants up,

30 And help to trap your horses for the speed;

At sea I have seen you weigh the anchor with ’em,

Hoist sails for fear to lose the foremost breath,

Be in continual prayers for fair winds –

And have you changed your orisons?

ALSEMERO No, friend,

35 I keep the same church, same devotion.

JASPERINO

Lover I’m sure you’re none: the stoic

Was found in you long ago; your mother

Nor best friends, who have set snares of beauty –

Ay, and choice ones too – could never trap you that way.

What might be the cause?

40 ALSEMERO Lord, how violent

Thou art! I was but meditating of

Somewhat I heard within the temple.

JASPERINO

Is this violence? ’Tis but idleness

Compared with your haste yesterday.

ALSEMERO

45 I’m all this while a-going, man.

Enter SERVANTS

JASPERINO

Backwards, I think, sir. Look, your servants.

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