Chapter One Introduction
1.1 The Unfavourable Reception of Jacobean Drama in China
1.2 The High Estimation of the Plays in the West
1.3 Review of Literature
1.4 The Prominence of the Heroines in Jacobean Drama
1.5 The Argument of This Book
CHapter Two A New Temper in Jacobean Tragedies
2.1 General Characteristics of English Renaissance Tragedies
2.2 Specific Traits of Later Jacobean Tragedies
2.3 The Cenatral Position of Men s Military or Political Ambition in Earlier Renaissance Tragedies
2.4 The Prominent Position of Emotional or Domestic Life in Later Jacobean Tragedies
2.5 The Equivocal Status of the Protagonists in Later Jacobean Tragedies
Chapter Three Causes of the New Temper
3.1 Personal and Social Influences
3.2 The Contemporary Debate on Woman
3.3 The Influence of King James Iand His Court
3.4 A General Pessimism and Stress on Individualism
3.5 The Rise of the Middle Class
3.6 Literary Influences
3.7 Summary of the Various Causes
Chapter Four Victims of Self-assertion
4.1 The White Devil:a Selfish Manipulating but Courageous Individaual
4.2 The Duchess of Malfi:a Determined Pursuer of Marital Happiness
4.3 Bianca:the Wilful Pragmatic and Vain Mistress
4.4 Beatrice-Joanna:the Possessive Murderess
4.5 Annabella:the Selfless and Willing Victim of Incest
4.6 Penthea:the Stoic and Iron-Willed Believer of Honour
Chapter Five Victims of Circumstances
5.1 The Influence of the Rulers on Society in General
5.2 Vittoria:Victim of Private Revenge and a Corrupt Society
5.3 The Duchess of Malfi:Victim of Patriarchalism
5.4 Women Beware Women:the Influence of DegenerateElders
5.5 The Changeling:the Influence of a Pleasure-seeking Society
5.6 Annabella s Parma:a Corrupt Society Caring Only for Appearaces
5.7 Penthea:a Victim of Enforeced Marriage and the Conventional Notion of Honour
Chapter Six Conclusion
Bibliography
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