"The Rival Ladies" by John Dryden is a tragicomedy that explores themes of love, honor, and rivalry in 17th-century England. Set in the court of King Alexander, the play follows the romantic entanglements of two noblewomen, Melantha and Doralice, as they vie for the affections of the same man, Philander. Central to the plot is the character of Philander, a handsome and charming nobleman who finds himself torn between the two women. As the rivalry between Melantha and Doralice intensifies, Philander's attempts to navigate the complexities of love and loyalty lead to a series of comedic misunderstandings and dramatic confrontations. Through its witty dialogue and clever plot twists, "The Rival Ladies" offers a satirical commentary on the courtly manners and social conventions of the time. Dryden's play explores the absurdities and contradictions of love and desire, while also celebrating the resilience and resourcefulness of its female characters. With its blend of humor, romance, and social critique, "The Rival Ladies" remains a beloved classic of English theater, showcasing Dryden's talent as a playwright and his enduring relevance in the world of comedy and drama.

The Rival Ladies (1664), Dryden's second play, features strong female leads in comical competition. Women had just been admitted, for the first time, onto the English stage, and trouser roles like those in The Rival Ladies fully exploit FTM crossdressing comic potential. (The queen herself had recently begun a fashion for women wearing men's breeches and stockings. ) Charles II shared the palace with his mistresses, so the "rival ladies" of this drama were "drawn from the life." Interwoven with the comedy is a Spanish melodrama plot which gives full play to Dryden's sublime eloquence. The final act contains tender and memorable poetry about selfless love. -The Kraken Series offers the only editions of Dryden's plays that fully explain all archaic language, slang, historical references, and also all the sometimes perplexing syntax employed by Dryden, who wrote in English but often thought in Latin. Kraken does for Dryden what Folger did for Shakespeare.