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Overview
Synopsis
Phillander, the dauphin of France, is in love with Erminia. She loves him in return. However, Alcippus, the newly appointed general, formally requests to marry her, and is granted permission. So begins one of the many love triangles and conflicts in Aphra Behn’s The Forc’d Marriage. In a world in which women have very little control over their fates, the ladies of the court--Erminia, Gallatea (the princess), and Aminta--do their best to protect their hearts and stay loyal to their true loves. But Erminia’s sense of duty to Phillander conflicts with her obligation to Alcippus, with nearly tragic consequences. Rounding out the French court is a colorful and romantic cast of lords and ladies, pursuing and wooing, culminating in a grand masque that celebrates love. First performed by the Duke of York’s Company at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, The Forc’d Marriage is a prime example of early Restoration tragicomedy, where the guilty are forgiven and true love wins out.
Show Information
- Book
- Aphra Behn
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1670
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Renaissance France
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
---|---|---|---|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Featured |
Male |
Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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