The Dutch Courtesan

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The Dutch Courtesan is a play written by the playwright and satirist John Marston in around 1604-5. It was performed by the boy players of the Blackfriars theatre company in London.

The play tells the story of two friends, the relaxed, pleasure-loving Freevill and the repressed Puritan Malheureux, and the turbulent relationship that both have with the passionate Dutch Courtesan Franceschina. It explores the nature of human desire and the problems involved with trying to lead a 'good', moral life when sexuality is so fundamental a part of man's nature.

The Dutch Courtesan was a popular work at the time, and was performed and adapted several times during the Restoration, the most famous adaptation being Thomas Betterton's The Revenge; or, a Match in Newgate. However, this adaptation is more sentimental and less morally complex than Marston's original.

[edit] References

• Philip J. Finkelpearl, John Marston of the Middle Temple. Anthony Caputi, John Marston, Satirist.