The Italian Monk: A Play, In Three Acts (1797)

The Italian Monk is a play written by James Boaden and originally published in 1797. The play is divided into three acts and follows the story of Ambrosio, a monk in a Spanish monastery who is revered for his piety and devotion. However, Ambrosio's virtuous exterior masks a darker side, as he becomes increasingly obsessed with a young woman named Antonia and begins to engage in sinful behavior.As the story progresses, Ambrosio's actions become more and more depraved, and he is eventually exposed as a murderer and devil worshipper. The play explores themes of morality, religion, and the corrupting influence of power.Boaden's play was highly controversial when it was first published, due to its graphic depictions of violence and sexuality. It has since become a classic of Gothic literature and has been adapted into various forms, including an opera and a film. The Italian Monk remains a fascinating and thought-provoking work that challenges readers to confront their own beliefs about good and evil.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.