Tis Pity She's a Whore: Full Text and Introduction (NHB Drama Classics)

By John Ford

The NHB Drama Classics series presents the world's greatest plays in affordable, highly readable editions for students, actors and theatregoers. The hallmarks of the series are accessible introductions (focussing on the play's theatrical and historical background, together with an author biography, key dates and suggestions for further reading) and the complete text, uncluttered with footnotes. The translations, by leading experts in the field, are accurate and above all actable. The editions of English-language plays include a glossary of unusual words and phrases to aid understanding.
When Annabella is found to be pregnant by her brother Giovanni, she agrees to marry her suitor Soranzo. But when the lovers' incestuous secret is discovered, vengeance and bloody murder follow. This Drama Classics edition is edited and introduced by Lisa Hopkins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Release date: Aug 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781780013909

Book preview

Reviews for Tis Pity She's a Whore

[reinadecopiaypega · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

In a word ...............Torture.

I did not realize both before I read it and once I started it what a struggle it was going to be for me. This play was written in the 17th century, so if you struggle with Shakespeare, you'll struggle here too.

I understood the barest of its storyline, and none of the details. I certainly don't understand why it has this title, incest and being a whore are not the same thing. Too many plots and betrayals, I may have loved it had it been written in modern language, but as it stands, it was a disaster, I hardly understood a thing.

[takeitorleaveit_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

comically horrendous play about incest from 1633. I liked the title.

[yooperprof · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A boy's best friend (with benefits) is his sister, in a Renaissance Italy filled with "banditti," corrupt churchmen, and Machiavellian schemers. Disturbing, memorable dialogue that mitigates (somewhat) the generally preposterous plot. Think of Shakespeare crossed with a "Grade B" horror film, directed by David Cronenberg.

[nkmunn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wish the cohen brothers would do a movie of this play!