A main theme in early modern domestic tragedy was not marital discord

A main theme in early modern domestic tragedy was not marital discord

as such but violent - usually unreasonably violent - behaviour on the

husband's part. At a time when husbands were not only allowed but

obliged to rule their families, including their wives, the definition

of 'lawful and reasonable' measures of punishment were opened to

debate. The marriage of John Frankford, a middling country gentleman,

and his wife Anne is comfortable if uneventful, until Wendoll, an

acquaintance of her husband's, confesses his passionate love to her.

Anne yields to him; they are discovered. Instead of killing the two

adulterers on the spot - a vengeance that society would condone -

Frankford banishes his wife from the house and their two children.

Racked by guilt and remorse, Anne starves herself to death; but Heywood

allows a scene of deathbed reconciliation to wife and husband.