Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Francesca da Rimini

Francesca da Rimini is a historical tragedy inspired by the famous Italian legend of Francesca da Rimini a woman from Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy who falls in love with her husband's brother Paolo leading to their tragic deaths. Boker’s adaptation focuses on the themes of forbidden love betrayal and the destructive consequences of passion. The play portrays the intense emotional and moral struggles of its central characters—Francesca Paolo and her husband Gianciotto—as they grapple with love duty and vengeance. The work is noted for its dramatic structure and emotional depth drawing on elements of Romanticism and the influence of European literary traditions particularly the works of Dante. Through its exploration of passion and fate Francesca da Rimini stands as a significant piece in the history of American drama showcasing Boker's ability to blend classical sources with the dramatic sensibilities of his time. The play is a compelling example of mid-19th-century American theatre and an early exploration of the tragic themes that would become more prominent in American drama in the years following.