PIZARRO; A TRAGEDY

SHERIDAN, RICHARD BRINSLEY, Adapted by. KOTZEBUE, AUGUST VON

Published by Printed for James Ridgway, London, 1799

About this Item

212 x 129 mm. (8 1/4 x 5"). 4 p. l., 76 pp., [2] leaves (Epilogue). Modern quarter red morocco over red cloth, two raised bands, gilt titling, binding tightened using Japanese mending tissue. From the collection of noted theatrical scholar William Appleton (1915-2014), though without his bookplate. Williams, p.234; ESTC T60204. â Joints somewhat rubbed, though the covers holding firm on the mending tissue, paper very slightly toned, a few other trivial imperfections. Internally very much cleaner and less darkened than one would expect. A notable theatrical triumph, this is a clever adaptation by celebrated British playwright and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816). It is based on German playwright August von Kotzebue's work about the Spanish invasion of Peru, originally titled "Spanier in Peru" and first published in 1796. Williams notes that Sheridan's work "was such a success that it brought the theatre in 'at least £15,000 during its first season.'" The plot follows the villainous Pizarro as he brutally conquers the Peruvians, led by the virtuous Rolla. Bartolome de las Casas is depicted sympathetically, as a morally sound foil to Pizarro's greed. While the plot was taken from von Kotzenbue, much of the dialogue was original to Sheridan, and it has considerable relevance to Sheridan's career outside the theatre, with striking parallels to contemporary political events. As a Whig, Sheridan was opposed to the violent subjugation of the peoples colonized by the British; as John Loftis notes, parts of Rolla's speech to the Peruvians are directly pulled from Sheridan's own speech in the Westminster Hall, condemning the behavior of the English in India. Additionally, the similarities between Pizarro and the rising threat of Napoleon Bonaparte are clear; Sheridan created a stirring metaphorical exhortation for the British to stay strong against the threat of a possible French invasion, again closely mirroring his own political speeches. Though it contains no bookplate, we know that this item comes from the collection of William Appleton (1915-2014). A scholar of early English theater, Appleton taught at Columbia University for over 30 years and authored several books on the subject. FIRST EDITION, issue with final line on title reading "A superior Edition, on fine wove Paper, hot-pressed, Price 5s.". Seller Inventory # ST12849d

Bibliographic Details

Title: PIZARRO; A TRAGEDY

Publisher: Printed for James Ridgway, London

Publication Date: 1799