MEREDITH

By Aaron J Clarke

'Meredith' is a retelling of Euripides’ 'Medea', but with a twist as the drama takes place in nineteenth-century England. Impoverished aristocrat Lord Jason spurns Meredith in favour of Gloria, the daughter of the wealthy businessman, Crane. In the beginning, Meredith acquiesces with Jason’s scheme because she will sacrifice everything, so her sons do not face poverty. Later, Meredith no longer tolerates such insolence passively. Resolute and shrewd, she focuses her formidable energies to realising the grandest, and most shocking, retribution possible on those who have wronged her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716502231

Aaron J Clarke

Aaron Clarke was born in Queensland on 24th January 1973, the middle child of two sisters. Like many other children, he watch a lot of television. Then one day he changed the channel to the ABC and saw "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Immediately taken aback by the lyrical beauty, he wanted to emulate Shakespeare.Aaron enrolled at James Cook University to study chemistry and biochemistry. In his second year he experienced his first psychotic episode and was hospitalised for several months. A year later he returned to JCU as an English student and started writing short stories and poems, which have been published in student publications and on the Internet.Please contact me at < [e-mail] > to discuss your opinions regarding my work, as I would greatly appreciate your point of view. Please address your questions as 'Reader Feedback' in the subject line of your email. Thanks, Aaron.

Book preview

MEREDITH

A Tragedy in Two Acts

By

Aaron J. Clarke

© 2020 Aaron J. Clarke

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-71650-223-1

Translated from French into English by the author.

Euripides’s play Medea inspired this work.

Characters

MEREDITH, mistress of JASON

JASON, an impoverished English Lord

GLORIA, daughter of millionaire CRANE

CRANE, rich businessman

CYNTHIA, the nanny for JASON and of the two sons

The two sons of MEREDITH and JASON

POLICEMAN

Setting

Shropshire, England, 1873

ACT I

Scene I

The scene takes place in the garden outside of Jason’s house.

MEREDITH

Why must I leave? This is my house too. Answer me!

JASON

Believe me when I tell you she cannot replace you in my heart.

MEREDITH

(Pause.)  Who is she? I don’t understand you. Jason, why are you doing this to me?

JASON

(In an imploring tone.)

She is the wealthiest woman in Shrewsbury. You know we need money… Look! Our house is in dire need of repairs.  If only you trusted me, instead you oppose me. Besides, she will help us. She will give our sons a luxurious life. Don’t they deserve that?

MEREDITH 

To hell with you! I am not interested in the house. Tell me, do you love her?

JASON

(Circles MEREDITH.)

She means nothing to me except as a source of money. We need her. 

MEREDITH

Do you want to roll around in money? Sometimes I think you take me for the stupidest woman in the world. 

JASON 

No, that’s not true.

MEREDITH

Look at me! What is she going to get in return?

JASON 

She will gain my prestigious name.

MEREDITH 

(Whispers.)

Am I not worthy of your name?

JASON 

You know that I cannot marry you-

MEREDITH 

(Interrupts.) Because I am Catholic.

JASON 

If my father knew of our relationship, he would have disinherited me. He has always been a bit of a bastard.

MEREDITH 

I wholly agree with you… It’s kind of you to remind me of that.  (Pause.) What is her name?

JASON 

Gloria.

MEREDITH 

Is she more attractive than me?

JASON 

I would not have an affair with an ugly woman.  I won’t be more specific. 

MEREDITH

Your words hurt me more than you can imagine.

JASON 

Meredith, how long have we known each other?

MEREDITH 

Twelve years…

JASON

I have never lied to you in all these years.

MEREDITH 

No, but there is always a first time. 

JASON

(Persuasive.)

I