Scenes From 'Politian'

by Edgar Allan Poe

Overview

Scanned, proofed and corrected from the original edition for your reading pleasure.It is also searchable and contains hyper-links to chapters.

***

"Politian" is the only play known to have been written by Edgar Allan Poe, composed in 1835 but never completed.

The play is a fictionalized version of a true event in Kentucky: the murder of Solomon P. Sharp by Jereboam O. Beauchamp in 1825. The so-called "Kentucky Tragedy" became a national headline and attracted several fictional representations. Poe, however, chose to set his version in 16th century Rome. Poe wrote the play during his time with the Southern Literary Messenger and during some personal crises. The first installment of Politian was published in that journal in December 1835 as "Scenes from an Unpublished Drama". A second installment was issued in January 1836 but the play was never completed.

Politian did not receive good reviews. Its failure prompted Poe to stop writing longer works and instead focus on short stories.

***

The Plot of this single attempt at a Drama is as follows:

Count Castiglione, son of the Roman Duke di Broglio, is betrothed to Alessandra but in love with Lalage, whom he has betrayed under promise of marriage. Lalage vows vengeance. Politian falls in love with Lalage and persuades her to flee with him when Castiglione is dead. Politian will not kill Castiglione, who refuses to defend himself, but swears to meet and insult him in public. Castiglione confesses the justice of this vengeance.

These five scenes are really the five undeveloped acts of a complete tragedy of revenge.

In Scene (Act) One, Alessandra and Castiglione are in conversation in a Hall in the Palace. The tone of the play is given in the first words — 'Thou art sad, Castiglione.' In protesting that he is not sad he yet, amid his sighs, utters the name Lalage. Di Broglio enters to announce the unexpected arrival of Politian (Earl of Leicester) and Politian's qualities are discussed.

In Scene (Act) Two, Lalage and Jacinta her maid are together. The maid has lost respect for her mistress and serves her now for the remnant of her treasures. Lalage is bemoaning her sad fate when a monk enters to whom she confesses her fall. She asks for a crucifix upon which she may vow Castiglione's death ; but when the monk refuses, she swears upon the Cross–handle of her dagger.

Scene (Act) Third: Politian and Baldazzar (Duke of Surrey) have arrived in Rome and during conversation Politian is entranced by a lady's voice in sorrowing song. Politian bids Baldazzar make his excuses to the Duke and remains.

Scene (Act) Four: Lalage tries to repulse Politian's protestations of love to her whose story he knows, but finally accepts his avowals and is ready to fly with him to America, whenever Castiglione is killed. Politician swears he shall die.

In Scene (Act) Fifth, Politian sends a challenge to Castiglione, who declines it because he knows no reason why he should fight. Castiglione seeks out Politian and is insulted. They draw. Politian draws in the name of Lalage, Castiglione, thus unmanned, refuses to defend himself. Upon this Politian asserts that he will meet him in the streets of Rome and taunt him. The scene closes with

Now this indeed is just —
Most righteous and most just — avenging Heaven!

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013071650
Publisher:	Leila's Books
Publication date:	08/29/2011
Series:	Poe's Complete Works , #7
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	358 KB

About the Author

Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) was orphaned at the age of three and adopted by a wealthy Virginia family with whom he had a troubled relationship. He excelled in his studies of language and literature at school, and self-published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems, in 1827. In 1830, Poe embarked on a career as a writer and began contributing reviews and essays to popular periodicals. He also wrote sketches and short fiction, and in 1833 published his only completed novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. Over the next five years he established himself as a master of the short story form through the publication of "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and other well–known works. In 1841, he wrote "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," generally considered the first modern detective story. The publication of The Raven and Other Poems in 1845 brought him additional fame as a poet.