The Changeling is a Jacobean tragedy co-written by playwrights Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. It was originally performed in May of 1622 and first published in 1652 by bookseller Humphrey Moseley.
Critics have long speculated as to which parts of the play were written by Middleton and which parts were written by Rowley. In 1897, Paul Wiggin proffered his interpretation of the division of labor between the two playwrights, a structure that is now widely accepted. Wiggin's theory states that Middleton was largely responsible for the central part of the play, while Rowley wrote the subplot and the opening and closing scenes. Given the playwrights' other collaborations, this division is generally considered the most likely version.
The central plot of The Changeling involves the character Beatrice-Joanna and her betrothed, Alonzo. Beatrice-Joanna is secretly in love with Alsemero, so she hires De Flores (who himself secretly loves Beatrice-Joanna) to kill Alonzo. The subplot of the play takes place in a madhouse and follows Alibius and his young wife, Isabella, who is being pursued by two men who have dressed up as madmen to get closer to her. The play explores themes like deception, appearances, insanity, and transactional lifestyles.
