William D'Avenant, The Siege of Rhodes part one

Dawn Lewcock (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.04: English Writing and Culture of the Seventeenth Century, 1625-1688.
Vol. editors: Jennifer Brady (Rhodes College), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne), Claire Preston (Queen Mary, University of London), J A Roe (University of York), Virginia Mason Vaughan (Clark University)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1656

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Masque
Play

Resources

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The Siege of Rhodes

is important because it is believed to be the first time the general public had the opportunity to see a production with scenery on the stage in England. Before this time scenery had only been used in productions of masques, and some few plays at court, or in front of a select audience. Surprisingly

The Siege of Rhodes

was shown during the Interregnum when stage plays were forbidden. However, Sir William D'Avenant had already successfully shown a staged debate at his house, part of which was for and against staging opera, which he called

The First Days Entertainment at Rutland House, by Declamations and Musick: after the manner of the Ancients

. The long title was probably a deliberate attempt to preclude any criticism and substantiate D'Avenant's claim that the show…

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1366 words

Citation: Lewcock, Dawn. "The Siege of Rhodes part one". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 10 May 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=21269, accessed 25 November 2024.]

William D'Avenant, The Siege of Rhodes part one

Dates

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