George Etherege, The Comical Revenge, or Love in a Tub

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The Comical Revenge: or Love in a Tub

was the first play written by

Sir George Etherege (1636-1691/2), first performed in 1664

.

The play is important in the history of drama because of the unique way in which Etherege employs two separate language styles. The love and honour plot, which has two couples, Beaufort and Graciana, Bruce and Aurelia, mistaking each other's feelings and becoming embroiled in intrigue, duels, sword play and sentimental aphorisms, is written in rhyming couplets. For example in Act 4, scene 5, the two girls believe Bruce has been killed by Beaufort.

AURELIA. Cruel Graciana, go but in and see The fatal Triumph of your victory. The noble Bruce to your eternal shame, With his own blood has quenched his raging flame. GRACIANA. (weeping) My carriage shall in

1274 words

Citation: Lewcock, Dawn. "The Comical Revenge, or Love in a Tub". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 September 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1225, accessed 19 March 2024.]

1225 The Comical Revenge, or Love in a Tub 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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