A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this Argument

"A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage" by Jeremy Collier is a critical work written in the late 17th century. The book serves as a rigorous examination and condemnation of the perceived moral failings and vulgarity present in English theatre of the time. Collier aims to highlight how the stage contributes to the corruption of society by promoting immorality and lewdness, undermining virtue and religious values. The opening portion of the book presents Collier's firm stance against the English theatre, focusing on its role in debauching the morals of the audience. He argues that playwrights intentionally employ indecent language and themes, thereby encouraging lewdness and diminishing the moral fabric of society. Collier offers a critique of specific characters and plays, illustrating how they exemplify these corrupting influences. He contends that, unlike classical playwrights who approached themes of love and morality with decorum, modern English plays are rife with obscenity, suggesting that this trend not only undermines public decency but also misleads the audience about virtue itself.