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Overview
Synopsis
One of the finest examples of Jacobean tragedy, The Changeling explores honor and madness through its dual plots, one set in the world of nobility, and the other in a local asylum. But which is the real madhouse? Young Beatrice is in love with a visiting nobleman, Alsemero. However, her father has already arranged her marriage to Alonzo, another nobleman. Desperate to be with her love, Beatrice enlists the help of De Flores, a cunning but ugly servant, a deceptive man obsessed with her and determined to claim her virtue. While she initially resists him, Beatrice is drawn into lustful complicity with De Flores, and together they set in motion a chain of love, lust, madness, and death. The Changeling is regarded as one of the most profound tragedies to ever come from the Renaissance stage, and grips audiences long after the curtain falls.
Show Information
- Book
- Thomas Middleton , William Rowley
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1622
- Genres
- Drama, Tragedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1600s, Spain, Alicante, madhouse, estate
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Elderly Characters, Large Cast
Context
The Changeling is likely the most profound and popular collaboration of Renaissance playwrights Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, co-writers of at least half a dozen plays in the early 17th century. Many scholars have analyzed and examined the nature of the dual authorship, including analysis over who wrote which scenes. Generally, it is agreed that, outside the first and last scenes, Middleton focused on the main plot of Beatrice, De Flores, and Alesmero, while Rowley composed the first
to read the context for The Changeling and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Alsemero, a young nobleman, is visiting Alicante and has just fallen in love with a women he’s seen at church. Rather than leave for Malta as he originally intended, Alsemero tells his friend Jasperino that he will stay for this woman--a decision that shocks Jasperino, as Alsemero has never been interested in women before and was in fact dedicated to travel. Beatrice enters, and Alsemero approaches her, charming and modest to win her favor. But Beatrice is reticent to reciprocate his feelings,
to read the plot for The Changeling and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
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
Something created or false, rather than natural.
Inspired by Bethlem Hospital, an institution for the mentally ill in London, and generally refers to chaos or unrest.
Cheat
Disguise or deceive
A type of verse with ten syllables per line and syllables alternating between unstressed and stressed beats.
Referring to life in England under the reign of King James I, 1603-1625.
A play that centers around the downfall of the main character through tragic actions and events.
The protagonist, generally someone who is noble or royal, and is brought to a downfall by their own hubris.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress