3 Review(s)

Hazlitt’s collection includes both famous and lesser-known plays, many of which were originally printed in the Elizabethan or Jacobean era. His selection is intended to offer readers a glimpse into the early development of English drama, showcasing works that were performed before the dominant styles of the Restoration period took over the stage. The plays vary in style, genre, and tone, from historical dramas and tragedies to comedies and morality plays.Each volume in the collection includes an introduction by Hazlitt, providing historical context and commentary on the playwrights and their works. The plays themselves reflect the evolving nature of English theatre, displaying early influences from classical models and the emerging distinctiveness of English drama. Hazlitt’s choices highlight the complexity and diversity of early English theatrical works, with plays that explore themes such as power, love, morality, social order, and religion.