Damon and Pithias

Henry Chettle (1600)

Historical Records

Henslowe's Diary

F. 29^v (Greg I.57)

Receiued in part of paiment of [Gri] Damon and

Pythias this 16. of ffebruary 1599 ............... xx^s

By me henry chettle./

F. 67^v (Greg I. 118)

Layd owt for the company the 16 febrearye 1599

in earnest of a Boocke called damon &

pethyus as maye a pere some is ............... xx^s

to hary chettell

F. 68 (Greg I. 119)

Lent vnto w^m Birde the 10 marche 1599 to

geue harey chettell in earneste of his Boocke

called damon & pethias the some of ............... xxvj^s

F. 68^v (Greg, I.120)

Lent vnto harey chettell the 26 of ap^rell 1[59]600

in parte payment of a Boocke called damon

& pethias at the a poyntment of Robart shawe

the some of .............................. xxx^s

henry Chettle./

[marginal note: 16 - 07 - 00]

payd to Harry Chettle in full payment of vj^s for

his booke of Damon & Pithias xxxxiiij^s ............... xxxxiiij^s

F. 69 (Greg, I.121)

pd vnto the m^r of the Revelles man for licensynge

of a Boocke called damon & pethias the 16 of

maye 1600 some of .............................. vij^s

Theatrical Provenance

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Probable Genre(s)

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Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

The story of Damon and Pithias, having classical origins, was broadly familiar in the early modern period. A relatively contemporary dramatic analogue was Damon and Pithias by Richard Edwards (

References to the Play

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Critical Commentary

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For What It's Worth

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Works Cited

Burton, William. A sermon preached in the Cathedrall Church in Norwich, the xxi. day of December, 1589. London: 1590.

Dorke, Walter. A Tipe or Figure of Friendship. London: 1586.

Lloyd, Lodowick. The Pilgrimage of Princes. London: 1573, 1586.

White, D. Jerry. Richard Edwards' DAMON AND PITHIAS: A Critical Old-Spelling Edition. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1980.

Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 30 October 2009.