Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 08 of 10

"Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 08 of 10" by Francis Beaumont is a compilation of amusing plays from the early 1600s, filled with love, clever banter, and a close examination of how people acted in society. The collection, featuring works like "The Woman's Prize" and "The Island Princess," pays close attention to the connections between men and women. "The Woman's Prize," for example, presents characters such as the silly Moroso trying to win a woman’s heart and Maria standing up for herself to her husband, Petruchio. With characters challenging what was normal for the time, the drama makes use of funny conversations to explore marriage and gender roles. This sets the stage for a fight against old thinking and explores the difficulties of being a wife when men had most of the power.