By Philip Massinger
London   John Waterson
7" by 5.5" [80]
A very scarce first edition copy of this Jacobean tragedy, by noted playwright Philip Massinger, as it was performed at the Globe.
By Philip Massinger

1639 The Unnaturall Combat A Tragedie The Scaene Marsellis

London   John Waterson
7" by 5.5" [80]
A very scarce first edition copy of this Jacobean tragedy, by noted playwright Philip Massinger, as it was performed at the Globe.
£9,500.00
: 0.5kgs / : 707L1

What Our Customers Say...

Description

First Edition, Very Scarce

'The Unnatural Combat' was first performed in the early 1620s. This quarto is the first edition of the work.

The plot of this work is believed to have been based on the story of the Roman noblewoman Beatrice Ceni who murdered her abusive father. Historians also believe that a passage in Jonson's 'Catiline' also was a source for inspiration of this work. However, these sources are believed to have only been a form of inspiration, and the plot is entirely Massinger's own.

There are some aspects of this play that resonate with contemporary events, with the depiction of its villain Malefort Senior alluding to the witchcraft allegations and sex scandals surrounding George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. There is also possible reference to his failed expedition to Cadiz.

T.S Eliot praised this work as 'deft handling of suspense' and celebrated its 'theatrical skill'.

ESTC reference No S112429.

This tragic play tells the story of two families, the Beauforts and the Maleforts.

Rebound, in a full cloth binding.

With the collation: A2, B-K4, L2.

Collated, complete.

Condition

In a full cloth binding. Rebound. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Small loss to the head of the final leaf, repaired with loss to the running title and first two words to L2v. A few light tidemarks to the final few leaves.

Very Good Indeed

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