De Monfort is consumed by his hatred of Rezenvelt. He is in the grip of a passion over which he seems to have little control.

In 1078 Joanna Baillie, the genteel daughter of a Presbyterian Minister, published the first three of her plays on the passions. They were received with enormous enthusiasm. She was hailed by Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron. Kemble first performed De Monfort, then Edmund Kean. “Write me more Jane de Monforts” said the great Sarah Siddons.

This is a play of daunting power and great language.