The Knight of the Burning Pestle
Quick Summary
The Knight of the Burning Pestle is a play by Francis Beaumont, written around 1607-1611. It is a satire that parodies popular plays of the time, particularly those featuring sentimental lovers and chivalric adventures.1
The play begins with a Citizen and his Wife interrupting a performance to insist that their apprentice be given a leading role. This creates a dual plot: the original play and the story of the apprentice, who becomes the titular "Knight of the Burning Pestle." The Citizen and his Wife's naive interference allows Beaumont to humorously explore bourgeois perceptions of art. The term "knight of the pestle" also refers to an apothecary.12
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