49 pages 1 hour read

Thomas Middleton, William Rowley

The Changeling

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1622

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Changeling, a tragicomedy, centers on Beatrice who, after meeting Alsemero, plots with the obsessive servant De Flores to murder her fiancé Alonzo to marry Alsemero. Concurrently, in a comedic subplot, Doctor Alibius’s wife Isabella fends off suitors disguised as asylum patients. As Beatrice's schemes unravel, her actions lead to tragic consequences and revelations that change all involved. The play contains themes of murder, violence, and sexual coercion.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley masterfully blends dark themes of madness, deceit, and desire with complex characterizations. Critics praise its intricate plot and rich, poetic language. However, some find its moral ambiguity unsettling. Overall, it remains a compelling study of human flaws and twisted motivations.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Changeling?

Fans of dark psychological drama and Jacobean tragedy will find The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley compelling. Similar to Shakespeare's Macbeth and Webster's The Duchess of Malfi, this play appeals to those who appreciate themes of madness, betrayal, and moral complexity.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Tragedy

British Literature

Education

Period

Harlem Renaissance

Themes

Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Topics

Education

History: World