This technical report provides a critical introduction to and an edition of America’s first printed tragedy, Thomas Godfrey’s The Prince of Parthia, A Tragedy (1765). Several critics have mentioned Godfrey’s debts to Shakespeare in writing his play; no one has examined at length Godfrey’s specific borrowings from Shakespeare. Hence, the critical introduction evaluates Godfrey’s use of Shakespeare in constructing the Plot, Characters, and Language of The Prince of Parthia. In addition, the critical introduction traces Godfrey’s use of certain Elizabethan themes, ideas, and situations. The remainder of the Report contains a text of the play itself, plus appendices on textual matters and a Godfrey bibliography. (author).

Also available as ADA035072.