Thomas Otway

Otway’s career was short and much of his work is marked by the tragic circumstances of his own life. Born in a turbulent period Otway’s early years were marked by poverty and personal loss which influenced the melancholy and tragic elements in his plays. While he experienced some success as a playwright particularly with The Orphan (1680) which became a popular success his life ended in poverty. Otway's legacy is primarily defined by his ability to create tragic heroes caught in impossible situations exploring the complex human emotions of love loyalty and despair. His two most celebrated works The Orphan and Venice Preserv'd are still regarded as significant contributions to the genre of Restoration tragedy. Venice Preserv'd is particularly noteworthy for its political and social themes which explore issues such as corruption justice and the nature of political power.