After reading the magnificent Anthony and Cleopatra and loving it so much, this one was a complete let down. Such a daft and nasty little story. All was NOT well and it did NOT end well. I can see that it has interesting discussion points and it is very relevant for today’s world.. but it felt cynical and very dark.
The women largely have the power in this play but Helen, the main lead, forces a young man to marry her against his will, then when he tries to run away,she stalks him.. and uses anyone, including a young girl, to trap him. Helen is quite happy for that young girl to be humiliated, risk her good name and face jail, just so Helen can entrap her man.
Supposedly a comedy but not funny. A problem play in every way.
I suppose it makes a change from women being a commodity to sell, as is often the story.. but this was equally nasty
Not a favourite at all. In fact I might even say I found it a wee bit boring. But it does have the line….
‘the web of our life is of mingled yarn’