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Beaumont (1584-1616) & Fletcher (1579-1625)

Beaumont and Fletcher are often grouped together, because they have jointly written about fifty dramas. Though they lack Shakespeare’s imagery, their plays contain witty dialogues. Beaumont was a greater dramatist than Fletcher. It is believed that Fletcher collaborated with Shakespeare for his Henry VIII. Philaster is a memorable play written by Beaumont and Fletcher. Beaumont and Fletcher were said to have adapted the English stage the Petrarchan material and Sonneteer's concept.

Philaster

Philaster is a romantic drama produced by Beaumont and Fletcher in 1611. The Crown of Cicily was usurped by King of Calabria. Arethusa, daughter of the usurper was loved by the rightful claimant Philaster and it is reciprocated too. But her father designed to marry her to Pharamont, King of Spain. Philaster places his page Bellario to set communication with her. Arethusa reveals to the king a love affair between Pharamont and Megra, a lady of the court. But Megra takes revenge by spreading the scandal that Arethusa has illicit connection with Bellario. Believing this story, Philaster dismisses Bellario and bids farewell to the princess. It is finally discovered that Bellario is the daughter of a Cicilian Lord, who has fallen in love with Philaster and has assumed the disguise of a page in order to serve him. This play has a distant echo of Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Further Reading

Project Gutenberg Beaumont and Fletcher