A critical modern-spelling edition of John Ford's 'The Lady's Trial'

Nogami, Katsuhiko (1989). A critical modern-spelling edition of John Ford's 'The Lady's Trial'. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis provides a critical introduction, a modern-spelling text, commentary and other necessary apparatus to John Ford’s The Lady’s Trial. The Introduction consists of ten sections. ’Date' tries to find a terminus a quo. 'Sources and Influences' deals with possible materials used for the composition of the play. The third section traces the early history of criticism up to T. S. Eliot. Sections four, five, six, and seven are discussions of the prominent themes of the play, especially In the historical context of London or England, under the titles of 'Social Advancement', 'Prescriptions for Women’, ’The Duel', and 'Friendship' respectively. Section eight, titled 'No Satire, but a Play: Rationalization of Conflicts', deals with the dramaturgy, laying stress on the synthesis of various factors, conflicting or assimilating, and the growth of characters through the series of events. The ninth section examines Ford's use of language, with special attention paid to the close affinity between this play and The Fancies, Chaste and Noble, borrowings from Shakespeare, and the like. The last section analyses bibliographical matters under the title of 'The Text'.

This text of The Lady’s Trial has been prepared from all the extant copies of the 1639 quarto, offering a conservatively modernised version of the play. The commentary provides glossary, paraphrase, bibliographical information, relevant proverbs, explicit allusions, and so on. The collation, lineation and press variants record the bibliographical changes to and differences between the quarto copies, later editions, and this edition.

This thesis contains approximately 79,000 words.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):