Thomas Dekker and his plays. Old Fortunatus.

Thomas Dekker is noted also as a pamphleteer, “the first literary artist of London street life”. Dekker was interested in the darker aspects of London life which gave him an opportunity for the display of his humanitarian spirit. Dekker’s two earliest plays, both published in 1600, indicate the two contrasted strains of his art.Old Fortunatus, based on a German folk-tale, is a charming but loosely constructed poetical piece full of nebulous romantic motifs.

The Shoemaker’s Holiday represents a complete contrast in its skilful plot-construction and realistic characterization.