Jocasta

play by Gascoigne

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June 29, 2026

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George Gascoigne's Jocasta (performed in 1566) was the first Greek tragedy presented on the English stage. It is a blank verse translation of Lodovico Dolce's Giocasta, which itself is derived from Euripides' Phoenissae. Gascoigne also collaborated with Francis Kinwelmersh on this work.1

Jocasta is a significant piece in English Renaissance drama, marking an early adaptation of classical Greek tragedy for an English audience.1

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George Gascoigne
Gascoigne’s Jocasta (performed in 1566) constituted the first Greek tragedy to be presented on the English stage. Translated into blank verse, with the collaboration of Francis Kinwelmersh, from Lodovico Dolce’s Giocasta, the work derives ultimately from Euripides’ Phoenissae. In comedy, Gascoigne’s Supposes (1566?), a prose translation…
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Gascoigne’s Jocasta (performed in 1566) constituted the first Greek tragedy to be presented on the English stage. Translated into blank verse, with the collaboration of Francis Kinwelmersh, from Lodovico Dolce’s Giocasta, the work derives ultimately from Euripides’ Phoenissae. In comedy, Gascoigne’s Supposes (1566?), a prose translation…
Read More