Composers and their stage works 


George Chapman

(ca. 1560-1634)
English dramatist, poet, and classical scholar. He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, about 1560.

PLAYS

The plays were first performed in London.

  1. The Blind Beggar of Alexandria. Comedy, 10 scenes. Published 1598 (Stationers' Register, 15 August, 1598). Produced Rose Theatre (Lord Admiral's Men), 12 February, 1596.
  2. An Humourous Day's Mirth. Comedy, 14 scenes. Published 1599. Produced Rose Theatre (Lord Admiral's Men), 1 May, 1597.
  3. All Fools. Comedy, 5 acts. Written 1599(?), as The World Runs on Wheels. Published 1605. Produced Blackfriars Theatre, 1604?
  4. Charlemagne, or The Distracted Emperor. Play. (Sometimes doubtfully attributed to Chapman). Exists in Egerton manuscript. Produced ca. 1600. Cyril Tourneur, John Marston, and Thomas Dekker also have been suggested as possible authors.
  5. The Gentleman Usher. Comedy, 5 acts. Published 1606 (Stationers' Register, 26 November, 1605). Produced ca. late 1602?
  6. Sir Giles Goosecap. Comedy, 5 acts. Published 1606 (Stationers' Register, 10 January, 1606). Produced Children of St. Paul's Chapel, ca. late 1601/early 1603.
  7. Alphonsus, Emperor of Germany. Tragedy, 5 acts. Written before 1604?, revised before 1630? (Attribution to Chapman seriously questionable). Published 1654. Produced Blackfriars Theatre (King's Men), 1630?
  8. Bussy d'Ambois. Tragedy, 5 acts. Published 1607 (Stationers' Register, 3 June, 1607. Produced Children of St. Paul's Chapel, 1604.
  9. Monsieur d'Olive. Comedy, 5 acts. Published 1606. Produced Blackfriars Theatre (Children of the Queen's Revels), 1604.
  10. Eastward Ho! Comedy, 5 acts. (With Ben Jonson and John Marston). Published 1605 (Stationers' Register, 4 September, 1605). Produced Blackfriars Theatre (Children of the Queen's Revels), 1605.
  11. The Conspiracy and the Tragedy of Charles, Duke of Byron, Part I, conspiracy, 5 acts. Part II, tragedy, 5 acts. Published 1608 (Stationers' Register, June 5, 1608). Produced Blackfriars Theatre, 1608.
  12. May Day. Comedy, 5 acts. Published 1611. Produced Blackfriars Theatre, ca. 1609.
  13. The Widow's Tears. Comedy, 5 acts. Published 1612 (Stationers' Register, 17 April, 1612). Produced Blackfriars or Whitefriars Theatre (Children of the Queen's Revels), 1603/09.
  14. The Revenge of Bussy d'Ambois. Tragedy, 5 acts. Published 1613 (Stationers' Register, 17 April, 1612). Produced Whitefriars Theatre, ca. 1610.
  15. The Wars of Pompey and Caesar. Tragedy, 5 acts. Written ca. 1612/ 13. Published 1631. (Stationers' Register, May 18, 1631).
  16. The Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn Masque. Stationers' Register, 27 February, 1613. Produced Whitehall, 15 February, 1613.
  17. Chabot, Admiral of France. Tragedy, 5 acts. Written 1621/22?, revised 1635. (With James Shirley). Published 1639 (Stationers' Register,r 24 Octobe, 1638). Produced Phoenix Theatre (Queen's Men), 1635 (licensed April 29, 1635).

CRITICISM

  • E. S. Rees, Jr., The Tragedies of George Chapman: Renaissance Ethics in Action, Cambridge, Mass., 1955;
  • G. de F. Lord, Homeric Renaissance: The Odyssey of George Chapman, New Haven, Conn., 1956;
  • E. M. Waith, The Herculean Hero in Marlowe, Chapman, Shakespeare and Dryden, New York, 1962;
  • M. MacLure, George Chapman, Toronto, 1966;
  • C. Spivak, George Chapman, New York, 1967;
  • J. W. Wieler, George Chapman: The Effect of Stoicism upon His Tragedies, New York, 1969;
  • M. C. Bradbrook, George Chapman, Harlow, 1977.