The Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (3 of 10)

The Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher is a play that unfolds in the kingdom of Paphos, exploring love, honor, and who we are. The story's core is General Memnon, a war hero whose intense feelings for Princess Calis turn his world upside down, causing both funny errors and sad moments in the royal court. The play starts by showing the King praising Memnon’s wins, but soon we see Memnon's difficulty in showing his love for Calis, which causes awkward situations. This beginning sets up a world filled with battles and royal games while hinting at Memnon’s internal struggles as he wrestles with his love, leading to actions that mix foolishness with real feelings.