Editing Venice Preserv'd (section)

===Belvidera===
Belvidera is a noblewoman who is the daughter of Priuli and the wife of Jaffeir. “Belvidera is affectionate, constant, and pure” character who remains faithful to Jaffeir and gains [[pardon]] for the conspirators who were plotting to murder her father (1). According to Derek Hughes, Belvidera is a complex character; sometimes Belvidera is an admirable character, particularly in comparison to those who surround her. When Jaffeir tells Belvidera of the plot to destroy the senate, she recognises the corruption of the senate, but does not condone the plan of the conspirators (4): she says to Jaffeir, “Can thy great heart descend so vilely low, / Mix with hired slaves, bravoes, and common/ stabbers,… and take a ruffian's wages/ To cut the throats of wretches as they sleep?” (8). Her argument persuades Jaffeir to not partake in the conspirators’ plan, but to instead turn them in to the senate.

On the other hand, Derek Hughes also says, “Belvidera is not different in kind from the other characters. She is the highest product of the world of ''Venice Preserv’d'', but she is of that world to the very end” (4). Belvidera is also resourceful and cunning when it comes to getting what she wants. Belvidera persuades Jaffeir to discontinue his association with the conspirators by telling him of Renault's assault towards her (III. ii. 181.) Belvidera calls upon the memories of her dead mother to convince her father to pardon the conspirators (Otway V. i. 44.)

''Venice Preserv'd''’s first performance was at the [[Duke's Theatre]] on 9 February 1682, with Elizabeth Barry as Belvidera. In 1782 at the Drury Lane Theatre, [[Sarah Siddons]] played the role of Belvidera; two years later, Siddons was Belvidera at the Covenant Garden (5). The Lyric Theatre in London filled the role of Belvidera with [[Cathleen Nesbitt]] in 1920. [[Barbara Leigh-Hunt]] played Belvidera in 1970 at Prospect Productions’ production of ''Venice Preserv’d''. [[Jane Lapotaire]] was Belvidera in Lyttelton Theatre's production of ''Venice Preserv’d'' in 1984. In 2019, [[Jodie McNee]] played Belvidera at the RSC.