The dramas of Bulwer-Lytton

Abstract

This thesis is an evaluation of the plays of Bulwer-Lytton. The Introduction provides a general background of drama in the early nineteenth century and a brief estimate of Bulwer's dramatic career. It also attempts to place Bulwer's plays in the context of his time. Chapter one examines the nature of Bulwer's first play, The Duchess de la Valliere. Chapter two evaluates the dramatic qualities of his second play, The Lady of Lyons; or, Love and pride. Chapter three assesses the merits of the third play, Richelieu; or, The Conspiracy, and provides a general discussion of Bulwer's political ideas. It also establishes the connection between Bulwer's first three plays depicting three periods in French history, and draws our attention to the author's approach to history. Chapter four discusses the fourth play, The Sea-Captain; or. The Birthright. Chapter five is an analysis of his fifth play, Money. In this chapter there is also a comparison between Bulwer and Thomas William Robertson. Chapter six is an assessment of Bulwer's last successful play, Not So Bad As We Seem; or Many Sides to a Character. In general, chapters one to six provide a history of the writing of the plays and their critical reception and also consider Bulwer's method of plot-construction, characterisation and his important ideas. The Conclusion discusses the later performances of Bulwer's plays, their interest for the twentieth-century audience, and traces briefly his reception in the twentieth century and provides a summing up of his characteristics as noted in the six plays.