Wooing of Death, The

Henry Chettle (1600)

Historical Records

Payments

To playwrights in Philip Henslowe's diary

Fol. 69 (Greg I.121)

Receaued by me Henry Chettle of mr Henshlowe	}
in earnest of a booke Called the wooinge of deathe	} xxs
By me henry chettle./

Theatrical Provenance

The Admiral's players paid Henry Chettle 20s. for "The Wooing of Death" sometime between 27 April and 6 May 1600, which was during their final season at the Rose playhouse before a move to the Fortune in late summer or early fall. Greg II (#203, p. 213) suggested that a 5s loan to Chettle on May 6 1600 might have been toward the composition of this play. [[WorksCited|Chambers, ES (3.266) suggested that the play was "apparently not finished." Knutson finds no reason to consider it finished (p. 163). Wiggins, Catalogue (#1252) decides that it was "presumably performed" and agrees with Greg that the 5s loan on May 6 might have been for this play.

Probable Genre(s)

Tragedy ? (Harbage)

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

None known.

References to the Play

None known.

Critical Commentary

Greg has no suggestions as to the content of this play (II. Item #203, p. 213).

Works Cited

Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 31 October 2009.