Thomas Dekker Edited with an introduction and notes by Ernest Rhys

In the collection Rhys provides readers with both well-known and lesser-known works by Dekker illustrating his distinctive voice and broad thematic concerns. Dekker’s plays often focus on the lives of ordinary citizens rather than nobility capturing the humor hardships and moral challenges of London's urban life in the early 1600s. Through characters like the humble but resilient shoemaker Simon Eyre and the flawed but redeemable courtesan Bellafront Dekker explores themes of social mobility redemption and the impact of economic hardships on moral choices. His works frequently advocate for compassion community and understanding in a society marked by class divisions and corruption.