Skip to content Skip to navigation
University of Warwick
  • Study
  • |
  • Research
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Alumni
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • About

University of Warwick
Publications service & WRAP

Highlight your research

  • WRAP
    • Home
    • Search WRAP
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse WRAP by Year
    • Browse WRAP by Subject
    • Browse WRAP by Department
    • Browse WRAP by Funder
    • Browse Theses by Department
  • Publications Service
    • Home
    • Search Publications Service
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse Publications service by Year
    • Browse Publications service by Subject
    • Browse Publications service by Department
    • Browse Publications service by Funder
  • Help & Advice
University of Warwick

The Library

  • Login
  • Admin

A critical study of Thomas Otway's plays

Tools
- Tools
+ Tools

Munns, Jessica (1980) A critical study of Thomas Otway's plays. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

[img]
Preview
PDF
WRAP_THESIS_Munns_1980.pdf - Requires a PDF viewer.

Download (18Mb)
Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b1752527~S15

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

The later tragedies of Thomas Otway have frequently been
regarded as forerunners of the pathetic mode. Such a view has
rested in part on neglect of the comedies which are acknowledged to
be unsentimental and harsh. The analysis of all his known plays
undertaken in this thesis reveals that although the comedies are
works of lesser density than the tragedies they are related to the
tragedies in terms of common thematic concerns, plot structures,
character types and imagery.
Here it is further argued that Otway intimates an absolute
morality which is registered through depictions of moral violations
and conveys a pessimistic view of man's ability to live in terms of
a moral framework. A profound sense of disorder permeates his
works which show man regressing down the Chain of Being towards
primitive and animal states of existence. This Otway diagnoses as
stemming from fallen man's divided nature and a destructive interaction
between physical and rational impulses. The plays illustrate this by
depictions of the erosion of man 1s rational faculties and the collapse,
mockery or misuse of the institutions, ceremonies and rituals which
enshrine a common morality.
Otway began working within the heroic mode but gradually
liberated himself from its assumption of human potential for greatness.
His later works are broadly based examinations of human nature in
terms of the individual and society as a whole. It is suggested that
his work as a comic writer provided him with a wide range of literary
techniques and social concerns. Otway is seen as combining the
literary styles and some of the philosophic ideas of his period into
a uniquely flexible whole Which produced emotionally and intellectually
satisfying drama.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Otway, Thomas, 1652-1685 -- Criticism and interpretation, Moral conditions in literature
Official Date: December 1980
Dates:
DateEvent
December 1980Submitted
Institution: University of Warwick
Theses Department: Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies
Thesis Type: PhD
Publication Status: Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: Hughes, Derek, 1944-
Extent: 396 p.
Language: eng

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

twitter

Email us: wrap@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Details
About Us