Fletcher, John
, an English dramatic writer, the
son of the preceding, is said to have been born in Northamptonshire, in 1576, while his father was dean of Peterborough, but as this does not correspond with his age at
the time of his death, it is more probable he was a native
of London, a person of that name and place being admitted pensioner of Bene’t college, Oct. 15, 1591, when he
must have been about fifteen, the usual age of admission
in those days. He was made one of the bible clerks in
15i>3, but his further progress in the university cannot be
traced, nor how long he remained in it. On his arrival in
London he became acquainted, and wrote plays jointly
with Beaumont; and Wood says that he assisted Ben
Jouson in a comedy called “The Widow.” After Beaumont’s death, which happened in 1615, he is said to have
consulted Shirley, in forming the plots of several of nis
plays; but which those were, we have no means of discovering. Beaumont and Fletcher, however, wrote plays
in concert, though it is not known what share each bore in
forming the plots, writing the scenes, &c. and the general
opinion is, that Beaumont’s judgment was usually employed
in correcting and retrenching the superfluities of Fletcher’s
wit. Yet, if Winstanley may be credited, the former had
his share likewise in the drama, in forming the plots, and
writing the scenes: for that author relates, that these poets
meeting once at a tavern, in order to form the rude
draught of a tragedy, Fletcher undertook to kill the king;
and that his words being overheard by a waiter, they were
seized and charged with high treason: till the mistake soon
appearing, and that the plot was only against a theatrical
| king, the affair ended in mirth. Some farther, and perhaps preferable, remarks on their respective shares may
be seen in our account of Beaumont (vol. IV.) Fletcher
survived Beaumont some years, but died of the plague at
London in 1625, and was interred in St. Mary Overy’s
church in Southwark.*
Sir Aston Cockaine among his
poems has an epitaph on Fletcher and Massinger, who, he,
tells us, he both buried there in one grave though Wood
informs us, from the parish-register there, that Massinger
was buried, not in the church, but in one of the four yards
belonging to it For a judgment upon this author, Edward
Philips observes, that “
he was one of the happy triumvirate of the chief dramatic poets of our nation in the last
foregoing age, among whom there might be said to be a
symmetry of perfection, while each excelled in his peculiar way Ben Jonson in his elaborate pains and knowledge
of authors Shakspeare in his pure vein of wit and natural
poetic height and Fletcher in a courtly elegance and genteel familiarity of style, and withal a wit and invention so
overflowing, that the luxuriant branches thereof were fre^
quently thought convenient to be lopped off by his almost
inseparable companion Francis Beaumont.” Dryden tells
us, that Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays in his time were
the most pleasing and frequent entertainments, two of
theirs being acted through the year for one of
Shakspeare’s
or Jonson’s; and the reason he assigns is, because there
is a certain gaiety in their comedies, and a pathos in their
most serious plays, which suits generally with all men’s humours. The case, however, is now reversed, for Beaumont and Fletcher are not acted above once for fifty times
that the plays of
Shakspeare are represented. Their merit,
however, is undoubted; and though it could not avert the
censure of the cynical Rymer, has been acknowledged by
our greatest poets. Their dramas are full of fancy and
variety, interspersed with beautiful passages of genuine
poetry; but there is not the nice discrimination of character, nor the strict adherence to nature, that we justly admire in
Shakspeare.
| Some of Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays were printed in
4to, during the lives of their authors; and in 1645, twenty
years after Fletcher’s death, there was published a folio
collection of them. The first edition of all their plays,
amounting to upwards of fifty, was published in 1679,
folio. Another edition was published in 1711, in seven
volumes, 8vo. Another in 1751, in ten volumes, 8vo.
Another by Colman, also in ten volumes, in 1778.
1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
The faithfull shepheardesse. By Iohn Fletcher (1610) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Phylaster, or, Loue lyes a bleeding acted at the Globe by His Maiesties seruants / written by [brace] Francis Baymont and Iohn Fletcher ... (1620) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The tragedy of Thierry King of France, and his brother Theodoret As it was diuerse times acted at the Blacke-Friers by the Kings Maiesties Seruants. (1621) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The two noble kinsmen presented at the Blackfriers by the Kings Maiesties servants, with great applause: written by the memorable worthies of their time; Mr. Iohn Fletcher, and Mr. William Shakspeare. Gent. (1634) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The elder brother a comedie. Acted at the Blacke Friers, by his Maiesties Servants. Printed according to the true copie. Written by Iohn Fletcher Gent. (1637) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The bloody brother A tragedy. By B.J.F. (1639) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Monsieur Thomas A comedy. Acted at the Private House in Blacke Fryers. The author, Iohn Fletcher, Gent. (1639) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The tragœdy of Rollo Duke of Normandy Acted by His Majesties Servants. Written by John Fletcher Gent.Bloody brother (1640) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The night-vvalker, or The little theife A comedy, as it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants, at the Private House in Drury Lane. Written by Iohn Fletcher. Gent.Night-walker (1640) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Rule a vvife and have a wife A comoedy. Acted by His Majesties Servants. Written by John Fletcher Gent. (1640) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Comedies and tragedies written by Francis Beaumont and Iohn Fletcher ... (1647) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The tragedy of Thierry, King of France, and his brother Theodoret as it was diverse times acted at the Blacke-Friers by the Kings Maiesties servants / written by John Fletcher, gent. (1648) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The widdow a comedie, as it was acted at the private house in Black-Fryers, with great applause, by His late Majesties servants / written by Ben. Johnson, John Fletcher, Tho. Middleton, Gent. ... (1652) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The wild-goose chase a comedie as it hath been acted with singular applause at the Black-Friers : being the noble, last, and onely remaines of those incomparable drammatists, Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Gent. : retriv'd for the publick delight of all the ingenious and private benefit of John Lowin and Joseph Taylor, servants to His late Majestie / by a person of honour. (1652) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Fathers own son a comedy formerly acted at the private house in Black Fryers, and now at the Theatre in Vere-Street by His Majesties servants / the author John Fletcher, Gent.Monsieur Thomas (1660) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The beggars bush written by Francis Beavmont and John Fletcher. (1661) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Wit withovt money a comedie, as it hath been presented with good applause at the private house in Drury Lane, by Her Majesties servants / written by [brace] Francis Beamount [sic] and John Flecher ... (1661) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The night-walker, or, The little thief a comedy as it was presented by Her Majesties servants at the private house in Drury-Lane / written by John Fletcher, Gent. (1661) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The island princess, or, The generous Portugal a comedy, as it is acted at the Theatre Royal by His Majesties servants. (1669) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Fifty comedies and tragedies written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Gentlemen ; all in one volume, published by the authors original copies, the songs to each play being added.Plays. Selections (1679) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The chances a comedy, as it was acted at the Theater Royal / corrected and altered by a person of honour. (1682) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Valentinian, a tragedy as 'tis alter'd by the Earl of Rochester, and acted at the Theatre-Royal : together with a preface concerning the author and his writings, by one of his friends. (1685) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The island-princess as it is acted at the theatre royal / reviv'd with alterations by N. Tate ... (1687) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Philaster, or, Love lies a bleeding a tragi-comedy, as it is now acted at His Majesty's Theatre Royal ... (1695) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Bonduca, or, The British heroine a tragedy, acted at the Theatre Royal by His Majesty's servants, with a new entertainment of musick, vocal and instrumental : never printed or acted before. (1696) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
Rule a wife, and have a wife a comedy, as it is acted at the new theatre in Little Lincolns Inn-fields, by His Majesty's servants. (1697) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The humorous lieutenant, or, Generous enemies a comedy as it is now acted by His Majesties servants, at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane. (1697) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The loyal subject, or, The faithful general a play acted at the Theatre-Royal by Her Majesties servants / the authors, Mr. Beaumont and Mr. Fletcher ; with a preface. (1700) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.
The pilgrim a comedy as it is acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane / written originally by Mr. Fletcher and now very much alter'd with several additions ; likewise a prologue, epilogue, dialogue and masque written by the late great poet Mr. Dryden just before his death, being the last of his works. (1700) by Fletcher, John, 1579-1625.