Reviews

Arden of Faversham by Unknown, Martin White, Tom Lockwood

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katieejayne's review

3.0

I'd never heard of this play before seeing it on my reading list. Whilst I liked it, it still isn't my favourite. I've always had an issue fully enjoying plays. The only one I really like is Macbeth. I think it's partially to do with having to read all the stage directions and then if they're from around the Shakespeare era I need to check definitions of words every few lines.

I liked the story of this and found it easy to follow. I enjoyed certain characters in this too. It's like a love pentagram with different people wanting to switch partners and going about it via murder and backhanded means. I felt so sorry for The Arden of Faversham. Everyone had it in for him.

Supposedly the author of this play was never named but many have theorised that it's one of Shakespeares.

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ewoods13's review

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funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

bigtomlaff's review

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tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Unfortunately I don't have many fond memories of this text, although that's hardly the texts fault. I was set this text for university during COVID, the play is relatively slow as it is and then not even getting to properly perform this just added to the slowness. The story is simple and linear like most renaissance dramas, I feel like the only reason this text is even interacted with is the mystery of its author, namely, that it may have been perhaps somewhat partly written by or from Shakespeare. Well, let me just say, if it was, its not up to his usual standards. The language isn't so beautiful nor is there any character of real merit. Might be a good simple text to use for children, but otherwise, just read/perform some real Shakespeare instead.