This book asserts the extraordinary quality of mid-twentieth century playwright Terence Rattigan's dramatic art and its basis in his use of subtext, implication, and understatement. By discussing every play in chronological order, the book also articulates the trajectory of Rattigan's darkening vision of the human potential for happiness from his earlier comedies through his final plays in which death appears as a longed for peace. New here is the exploration through close analysis of Rattigan's style of writing dialogue and speeches, and how that style expresses Rattigan's sense of life. Likewise, the book newly examines how Rattigan draws on sources in Greek and Roman history, literature, and myth, as well as how he invites comparison with the work of other playwrights, especially Bernard Shaw and Shakespeare. It will appeal broadly to college and university students studying dramatic literature, but also and especially to actors and directors, and the play-going, play-reading public.

John A. Bertolini teaches Dramatic Literature, Shakespeare and Film at Middlebury College in Vermont, USA. He holds the Ellis Chair in English and the Liberal Arts. He has written The Playwrighting Self of Bernard Shaw, edited Shaw and Other Playwrights, introduced and annotated two volumes of Shaw's plays for Barnes & Noble, as well as written articles on Hitchcock, Renaissance Drama, and American Drama.