The Cenci
The Cenci
Book Brief
Beta200
Poem • Fiction
Rome, Italy • 1590s
2007
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a tragic play exploring themes of power, innocence, and justice. Set in 16th-century Rome, it follows the Cenci family, particularly Beatrice, who confronts issues of abuse and morality. Complex family dynamics and societal constraints drive the narrative, emphasizing the struggle for personal agency.
Dark
Mysterious
Melancholic
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
720 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley is often praised for its lyrical language and intense emotional depth, capturing the tragic nature of its real-life inspiration. Critics admire Shelley's bold exploration of themes like power and injustice. However, some find its plot dense and characters underdeveloped. The play remains a challenging yet rewarding read for Shelley enthusiasts.
Who Should Read The Cenci?
A reader who appreciates The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley likely enjoys dark, tragic narratives and Romantic literature with complex characters. Fans of Shakespearean tragedies like Macbeth or Gothic novels such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein would find thematic and stylistic parallels appealing.
720 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Percy Bysshe Shelley was deeply inspired to write The Cenci after coming across the story of the Cenci family during his travels in Italy, seeing it as a profoundly tragic narrative that grapples with themes of power and injustice.
Despite its dramatic potential and Shelley's reputation, The Cenci was not performed on stage in his lifetime due to its controversial subject matter, though it was eventually produced in the late 19th century.
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The Cenci is considered one of Shelley's few attempts at writing for the stage and showcases his ability to blend poetic language with intense dramatic situations, making it a unique piece in his body of work.
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200
Poem • Fiction
Rome, Italy • 1590s
2007
Adult
18+ years
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