The Disguising at Hertford by John Lydgate

"The Disguising at Hertford" by John Lydgate is a verse play written around the early 15th century, likely during the late medieval period. This theatrical work explores themes of marriage and domestic discord through a humorous lens, showcasing the trials and tribulations faced by husbands under the rule of their strong-willed wives. Set against the backdrop of royal festivities at Hertford Castle, the play is a lively examination of gender dynamics and the nature of power in marital relationships. The plot unfolds as a group of husbands presents a complaint to the king, expressing their grievances about the domineering behavior of their wives. Each husband shares his amusing woes, illustrating the challenges of marriage and the social expectations placed upon both men and women. The wives, responding with equal fervor, assert their own perspectives and rights, adding a layer of complexity to the dialogue. The king, acting as an impartial judge, refrains from delivering an immediate judgment, prompting a deeper exploration of the societal norms surrounding marriage and authority. Ultimately, the play’s resolution invites the audience to reflect on the balance of power within domestic life, wrapped in the comedic exchanges between the characters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Download for free

For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.

Other formats & older devices
185 kB
182 kB

There may be more files related to this item.

About this eBook

Author Lydgate, John, 1370?-1451?
Title The Disguising at Hertford
Credits Produced by: An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger
Reading Level Reading ease score: 70.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject Comedy
Subject Marriage -- Drama
Subject England -- Drama
Category Text
eBook-No. 2878
Release Date
Last Update Feb 6, 2013
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 428 downloads in the last 30 days.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!