Customer Reviews
A Great Play - but I wouldn't choose this edition again... - By: R G Swale, 04 Mar 2008 
'Tis Pity She's a Whore is a play which centres around the incestuous love of its to protagonists - Giovanni & Anabella, brother & sister. The controversy of its topic have been much discussed since it was first performed in the 17th century, with different critics & different audiences taking to it very differently.
I thoroughly enjoyed my read - it is fast moving & has a wide range of characters with a variety of sub plots. I particularly enjoyed the adulterous Hippolita, & her lover Soranzo's servant Vasquez. Indeed, the depth & time given to the supporting cast in some ways brings into doubt which are the main characters in the play. However, the story revolves around Giovanni & Anabella & their love affair. It callls into question religion, society, & of course the taboo itself (although it is doubtful that John Ford was condoning the incestuous relationship, neither are Giovanni & Anabella presented in an unsympathetic light). As a spectacle, there are doubtlessly a wide range of ways to stage the play. I found the language easier than the majority of Shakespeare, & although the plot in parts bares similarity to Shakespeare & perhaps Johnson, I will be looking out for a production. The brutality & intrigue of the play would, I am sure, make for interesting viewing.
This edition I have mixed feelings about. The introduction is good enough - it is easy to read, & gives an overview of themes & past stagings of the production, as well as a good selection of possible extra reading. However the commentary to accompany the text was too sparse for me - although it gives definitions of most of the words you could not find in a dictionary, it gives little context or explanation, & at no point links in with the issues discussed in the commentary.
I must admit I am a fan of the Arden editions of Shakespeare, & because of that have grown used to in-depth explanations, context, wordplay & connotations being noted & brought to my attention throughout the text; this does not happen here. In this way, this Revels Student Edition fallls down - perhaps this is because it is expected that for students class work would cover the text in detail.
Jacobean at its Best - By: M. Dowden, 16 Sep 2007 
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this play, my first foray into Jacobean literature. Revenge, incest, etc. this play has everything to keep you hooked. I don't as a rule read many plays (Shakespeare excepted) but I thoroughly enjoyed it, now I want to see it on stage it was so good.
A brilliant play - By: J. Turvey, 06 May 2007 This a a brilliant & unique play which deals with a theme which many playwrights would not. It is a classic story of revenge, betrayal & love with disastrous consequences. Although it deals with the difficult theme of incest it does so in a way that by the end you do not find it as shocking as you may expect. In fact there are other much worst happenings within the plot which include murder & corruption in many different forms.
This is reallly a text which you need to use your own interpretation to understand. The characters are written in such a way that they can be viewed from many angles: both good & bad. It is reallly a personal choice whose sides you take within the play but it is certainly one that will get you thinking.
'Tis Pity She's A Whore' is a play very typical & representative of the time in which it was written. The women of the play seem to be the main victims whereas the men can easily display some truly terrible behaviour without a second thought. It is a very clear depiction of society & the social hierarchy within the seventeenth century & in my opinion is well worth a read.
I read this as an a/s level text & am so glad I did as I have now discovered the brilliant talent of John Ford. I will definitely be going on to read more of his work. Pick up this book- you won't regret it.
great revenge play - By: crosby casey, 16, 14 Jun 2005 Ignore the above review, what this reviewer & i think many people get wrong about these jacobean revenge plays is that you don't have to take the side of a paraticular character or even agree with them. This is however a brilliant play by one of my favourite writers.
A disturbing play on a forbidden theme. - By: , 21 Mar 2001 
Perhaps the most shocking of Ford's plays, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore tackles one of society's greatest taboos. The questions & issues raised are as problematic & controversial today as they were in the seventeenth century. The characters Ford create alll have their own views on the subject, yet Ford gives his own backing to none. There is no character who is perfect, no-one who provides a clear, unbiased view on the topic. I found there was no single figure who possessed the moral authority & integrity to denounce Giovanni & Arabella's actions. This lack of moral focus forces the reader to form their own conclusions in this disturbing, almost dangerous play. At the same time, some characters are strangely compelling, as we struggle to understand their situation & search for clues as to how we should react. Although I disliked the theme of the play, (it was not a play I would have chosen to read had not my university course demanded it), at the same time I found some of the characters engaging my interest, even though I disagreed with their actions. This play is a disconcerting exploration of what many would assume to be a fundamental law of society, & nature. And just what is the theme of this play? I'm afraid you'll have to read it to find out - you won't be kept in the dark for long!
