''Zoraida'' is a

tragedy A tragedy is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a tragic hero, main character or cast of characters. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy is to invoke an accompanying catharsi ...

by British writer William Hodson based on the conquest of Egypt by Ottoman ruler

Selim I Selim I (; ; 10 October 1470 – 22 September 1520), known as Selim the Grim or Selim the Resolute (), was the List of sultans of the Ottoman Empire, sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1512 to 1520. Despite lasting only eight years, his reign is ...

(1779). The original

Drury Lane Drury Lane is a street on the boundary between the Covent Garden and Holborn areas of London, running between Aldwych and High Holborn. The northern part is in the borough of London Borough of Camden, Camden and the southern part in the City o ...

cast included William 'Gentleman' Smith as Almaimon,

Robert Bensley Robert Bensley (c. 1740 – 1817) was an 18th-century English actor, of whom Charles Lamb in the ''Essays of Elia'' speaks with special praise. Life His early life is obscure, but his family was not poor: an uncle, Sir William Bensley, was ...

as Osman,

James Aickin James Aickin (died 1803), was an Irish stage actor who worked at the Edinburgh Theatre in Scotland and in theatres in the West End of London. He was the younger brother of the actor Francis Aickin (died 1803) with whom he shared the stage at t ...

as Zirvad,

John Phillimore Sir John Phillimore CB (18 January 1781 – 21 March 1840) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He was involved in several notable actions during his active career, taking pa ...

as Heli,

John Hayman Packer John Hayman Packer (12 March 1730 – 16 September 1806) was an actor for David Garrick's company at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Drury Lane. Originally a saddler, he created the character Freeman in James Townley's ''High Life Below Stairs'' (17 ...

as Moralmin,

John Palmer John Palmer may refer to: People Politicians * John Palmer (fl. 1377–1394), English politician * Sir John Palmer, 5th Baronet (1735–1817), British politician *John Palmer (1785–1840), U.S. congressman from New York * John Palmer (1842–190 ...

as Selim and

Mary Ann Yates Mary Ann Yates (1728–1787) was an England, English tragic actress. The daughter of William Graham, a ship's steward and his wife, Mary, she married Richard Yates (actor), Richard Yates (c. 1706-1796), a well-known comedian of the time. In 175 ...

as Zoraida.Hogan p.303

Synopsis

Act 1

Scene 1: Zoraida, a female orphan at the court of Egypt, talks to her friend Zulima (daughter of Moralmin, the Governor of Cairo for Almaimon and who grew up with Zoraida) about her worries regarding her parents' past against the rule of Ottoman Emperor Selim the First. She is concealed by his adopted parents and fears that Almaimon will die. Zulima comforts her by reminding her of Almorad's affection to Zoraida as an adopted parent. Scene 2: Moralmin talks to Zoraida is eager to share his rosy expectations for Almaimon reclaiming Egypt. Zulima suggests to Zoraida to join the fight; however, Zoraida suggests for Zulima to pray to Allah to wish the soldiers good luck. Scene 3: Almaimon faces a tough fight and senses the defeat of his army. He worries about Zoraida. Scene 4: Moralmin, now a prisoner of Selim I, is questioned by Selim, and confesses his loyalty for Almaimon despite his capture. He curses the Selim. Scene 5: Osman seemingly shows his loyalty to Selim while secretly seeking vengeance. Scene 6: At the castle, despite Zulima's persuasions, Zoraida has a pessimistic view of the battle and tries to give up, but changes her mind after realizing she does not wish to become a captive. Scene 7: The situation escalates as the betrayal of Almaimon's troops exacerbates the battle on Almaimon's side. Scene 8: Motafar notifies the crew of the princess's escape as well as his support for their escape.

Act 2

Zoraida comes before Selim as a captive and is taken to his harem. Selim tries to steal her heart, which, unbeknownst to him, is what Osman intends to distract Sultan from noticing his plans. Meanwhile, Almaimon is saddened by Zoraida's capture. Almaimon receives a scroll about Osman, which would later help with his mission of liberating Egypt and freeing Zoraida. Almaimon meets Osman and tells him his risky plans: an attack while the guards sleep.

Act 3

Act 4

Zoraida hears false testimony from Zulima that Almaimon is murdered. Zulima worries that her sire Moralmin is dead. Meanwhile, Selim feels betrayed by Osman for the rescue mission, saying he would be noble. However, Selim decides to trust Osman one more time to persuade Almaimon.

Act5

Selim returns Zoraida to Almaimon. Almaimon thanks God for their reunion.

References

Sources

* Nicoll, Allardyce. ''A History of English Drama 1660-1900: Volume III''. Cambridge University Press, 2009. * Hogan, C.B (ed.) The London Stage, 1660-1800: Volume V. Southern Illinois University Press, 1968.

External links

Full original text of Zoraida.
1779 plays British tragedy plays Fiction set in 18th-century Ottoman Empire Plays set in the Ottoman Empire Plays set in Egypt Plays set in the 18th century West End plays {{1770s-play-stub