Author: RUGGLE (George):
Title: Ignoramus, Comoedia; Scriptore Georgio Ruggle, A. M. Aulae Clarensis, apud Cantabrigienses. Olim Sociio; nunc denuo in lucem edita cum Notis Historicis et Cdriticis: quibus in super Praeponitur Vita Auctioris, et Subjicitur Glossarium Vocabula Forensia Dilucide Exponens; accurante Johanne Sidneio Hawkins.
Description: Londini: Prostat Venalis apud T. Payne et Filium..., 1787. 8vo (in 4s), 215 x 123 mms., pp. viii, cxxii,[2], 319 [320 errata], engraved frontispiece and two other engraved plates, contemporary polished tree calf, gilt border on covers, spine ornately gilt in compartments to a flower motif, red leather label; front joint slightly cracked, top and base of spine slightly chipped. Ignoramus was first performed in Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1615 and first printed in 1630; Ruggle (1575 - 1622) wrote other English comedies, but this one was his most successful and continued to be performed up to the end of the 18th century. The play, which apparently lasted five hours when first performed, is a satire on lawyers and is modelled on an Italian comedy, La Trappolaria (1596) by Giambattista della Porta, itself modelled on Plautus. Hawkins' critical edition is a model of 18th century editing and annotation, explaining all the legal jokes. "Scenes from it (edited and produced by David Money, directed by Cressida Ryan) were performed in Latin at Peterhouse Theatre, Cambridge, on 3 August 2000, as part of the congress of the International Association for Neo-Latin Studies. This version was revived in February 2002" (ODNB).

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