John Fletcher - The Mad Lover: "Deed, not words shall speak me"

The life of John Fletcher, born in 1579, reflects a transition from a potential ecclesiastical career to a vibrant involvement in London's commercial theatre. After a brief stint at Cambridge, he abandoned academic pursuits, influenced by his uncle's troubled patronage. Fletcher's early work included the unsuccessful "The Faithful Shepherdess," but he soon gained acclaim with "Philaster," marking the rise of tragicomedy. By the 1610s, his popularity rivaled that of Shakespeare, leading to a prolific career that spanned nearly fifty plays until his death in 1625.