The Duchess of Padua

The Duchess of Padua is a five-act tragedy written by Oscar Wilde in blank verse. It was written for Mary Anderson in 1883 but was abandoned until its first performance in New York City in 1891. The play tells the story of Guido Ferranti, who seeks revenge for his father's death at the hands of the Duke of Padua. Guido falls in love with the Duchess of Padua, but she kills the Duke to be with him. Guido is appalled and rejects her, but she accuses him of the murder, and he is brought to trial. Guido admits to the killing to protect the Duchess, and the date for his execution is set. The Duchess visits Guido in jail and tells him that she has confessed to the murder but that the magistrates did not believe her and would not allow her to pardon Guido. Before waking Guido, the Duchess drinks some poison, and Guido kills himself with her knife after she dies in his arms. The play has rarely been performed or discussed and is not regarded as one of Wilde's major works.

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