Not much is known of English writer Thomas Heywood’s early life. It is believed that he was born in 1575 in Lincolnshire. He attended the University of Cambridge to study English. After graduating from college, he worked as an actor and wrote short stories on the side. His first performed play is entitled The Four Prentises of London, which was performed around 1600.
In 1603, Heywood’s tragic play A Woman Killed with Kindness was performed in front of an audience and received rave reviews immediately afterward. The story deals with a woman who cheats on her husband with his best friend and the events that follow the incident. Throughout the play, she is overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and culpability, and struggles to find a way to redeem herself as a wife.
Upon its initial performance, A Woman Killed with Kindness was met with gracious reactions from critics and audiences alike. People have praised Heywood for his ability to write real and raw dialogue. Today, it is considered to be his magnum opus.
