11.3 The Rise of Bourgeois Tragedy: George Lillo's 'The London Merchant'

The early 18th century saw the rise of bourgeois tragedy, a new genre focusing on middle-class characters and their moral struggles. This shift reflected the growing influence of the merchant class and changing social dynamics in England.

George Lillo's 'The London Merchant' exemplifies this genre, telling the story of an apprentice's downfall due to temptation. The play explores themes of virtue, vice, and personal responsibility, mirroring the values and concerns of the emerging middle class.

Bourgeois Tragedy: A New Genre

Emergence and Characteristics

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• Bourgeois tragedy emerged as a new theatrical genre in the early 18th century focusing on the lives and struggles of middle-class characters rather than the aristocracy or royalty
• The genre aimed to evoke sympathy and moral reflection in the audience by depicting relatable characters facing moral dilemmas and the consequences of their actions
• Bourgeois tragedy emphasized the importance of virtue, hard work, and the dangers of temptation and vice reflecting the values and concerns of the growing middle class
• Marked a departure from the heroic and aristocratic themes of earlier tragedies signaling a shift in the focus and purpose of English theatre

Social and Economic Influences

• The rise of the middle class and the growth of commerce and trade in the early 18th century contributed to the development of bourgeois tragedy as a genre that reflected the changing social and economic landscape
  • Increasing social and economic influence of the merchant class
  • Rapid urban expansion and the challenges it presented (London)
• Reflected the growing influence and self-awareness of the middle class and its desire for theatrical representations that spoke to its own experiences and values
• Demonstrated the potential for theatre to engage with contemporary social and moral issues and serve as a vehicle for public discourse and reflection

The London Merchant: Plot, Characters, and Themes

Plot Summary

• Tells the story of George Barnwell, a young apprentice who is seduced by the prostitute Sarah Millwood and persuaded to steal money from his master leading to his moral downfall and eventual execution
• Tragic ending, with Barnwell's execution and Millwood's unrepentant defiance, serves as a warning and a call for moral vigilance in the face of temptation and vice

Central Characters

• George Barnwell: The naive and easily tempted apprentice
• Sarah Millwood: The manipulative and amoral prostitute who seduces Barnwell
• Thorowgood: Barnwell's kind and virtuous master who serves as a moral counterpoint
• Virtuous female characters who contrast with Millwood and represent ideal moral behavior

Key Themes

• Dangers of temptation and the importance of virtue
• Corrupting influence of money and desire
• Consequences of moral transgression
• Personal responsibility in the face of moral challenges
• Exploitation of women and the changing roles and expectations of women in the period

Lillo's Play: Reflecting Social Change

Depicting the Merchant Class

• Reflects the growing importance of commerce and trade in early 18th-century England with its focus on the lives of merchants, apprentices, and other middle-class characters
• Portrays the merchant class and their values, such as hard work, frugality, and integrity reflecting their increasing social and economic influence

Urban Challenges and Temptations

• Depicts the challenges and temptations faced by young men in the rapidly expanding urban environment of London where opportunities for both success and moral corruption were abundant
  • Vulnerabilities of young men in the city
  • Abundance of temptations and vices
• Critiques the corrupting influence of money and desire reflecting the anxieties and concerns of a society grappling with the effects of rapid economic change and social mobility

Changing Gender Roles

• Addresses the changing roles and expectations of women in the period
  • Depiction of the fallen woman Sarah Millwood
  • Virtuous female characters who serve as moral counterpoints
• Highlights the exploitation of women and the challenges they faced in a patriarchal society

Bourgeois Tragedy: Significance in English Theatre

Shifting Focus and Themes

• Marked a significant shift in English theatre by moving away from the heroic and aristocratic themes of earlier tragedies and focusing on the lives and struggles of middle-class characters
• Reflected the growing influence and self-awareness of the middle class and its desire for theatrical representations that spoke to its own experiences and values

Paving the Way for Future Developments

• Demonstrated the potential for theatre to engage with contemporary social and moral issues and serve as a vehicle for public discourse and reflection
• Success of bourgeois tragedy paved the way for further experimentation and diversification in English theatre
  • Exploration of a wider range of subjects, characters, and dramatic forms
  • Development of domestic and social dramas throughout the 18th and 19th centuries

Enduring Legacy

• The legacy of bourgeois tragedy can be seen in the continued development of domestic and social dramas throughout the 18th and 19th centuries
• Enduring interest in plays that explore the moral and psychological dimensions of everyday life
• Influence on later playwrights and the evolution of English theatre