The Fatal Dowry

The Fatal Dowry is a Jacobean play co-written by Philip Massinger and Nathan Field, likely composed around 1619, although it was not published until 1632. It showcases a collaboration that reflects both authors' distinctive styles, with Massinger contributing the more rhetorical and forensic scenes, while Field adds naturalistic dialogue, particularly for the character of Young Novall. The play follows the themes of honor, loyalty, and infidelity, exploring the tragic consequences of misplaced trust and the pursuit of justice. The character of Charalois, the noble and honorable protagonist, is caught in a morally complex situation when his wife, Beaumelle, betrays him with Young Novall. The play is marked by lengthy rhetorical debates and trial scenes, characteristic of Massinger's work, though Field's influence in the more colloquial exchanges provides a balance to the otherwise heavy discourse.

The play's structure includes a mix of moral and dramatic action, with Charalois's unwavering commitment to honor leading him to take the law into his own hands, culminating in a trial and the eventual death of both Beaumelle and Young Novall. While The Fatal Dowry initially appeared as a full play in 1632, it had a notable afterlife in the 18th century, with adaptations like Rowe's The Fair Penitent becoming extremely popular. Although it hasn't seen modern stage productions, its thematic concerns with honor, the consequences of infidelity, and the moral consequences of personal judgment remain relevant. The play, like many of Massinger's works, emphasizes the conflict between public duty and personal emotions, exploring how characters' actions are often driven by abstract notions of honor, duty, and loyalty.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1969.