Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

The Revenger's Tragedy by Thomas Middleton

the Duke — who now feels his own son is hatching a

conspiracy against him and gets him imprisoned. How-
ever, he releases him soon after.

The Duke hears about Piato the pander and asks him to
find a virgin too. Vindice and Hippolito plan to use
Gloriana’s skull, plant poison in her mouth and get
Duke to kiss her. The plan is successful. Lussurioso

m
comes to meet Vindice and asks him to kill Piato the
pander. Vindice and Hippolito now plan to dress up
Duke’s body in Piato’s outfit and pretend as if they are
killing him. This plan is successful too.

co
The Revenger's Tragedy is a Jacobean revenge tragedy
written by Thomas Middleton. It was performed in 1606, Lussurioso is pretending to grieve for his father’s death
and published in 1607. Lust, ambition and violence are as he realises that he is next to attain the Dukedom.
the main themes of the play. Vindice, the play’s protago- Lussurioso is crowned and a celebratory gala begins.
nist, seeks revenge from the Duke who killed his fiancée Vindice, Hippolito along with two accomplices stab
Gloriana around 10 years ago.

Vindice vows to take revenge from the Duke who killed

a.
w
his fiancée Gloriana - whose skull he is lovingly holding in
his hand. To take revenge, Vindice seeks help from his
brother Hippolito – who informs Vindice that the Duke’s
son Lussurioso is looking for a ”pander” (a pimp) to come
r
Lussurioso and his three noblemen. Spurio, Supervacuo,
and Ambitioso arrive at the same time with the intention
to kill Lussurioso. As all three of them are eyeing the
Dukedom, they get into a feud and kill each other.
Antonio enters and is perturbed by the massive blood-
bath. He realises he is the only one eligible for Duke-

closer to a virgin. Later, the brothers find out the virgin dom. On being asked, Vindice reveals the whole series of
who Lussurioso is attracted to is no one else but their own events and his role in it. After hearing the truth, Antonio
ka

sister Castiza. immediately sentences Vindice and Hippolito as he fears

Meanwhile, Junior Brother who is Duchess’s son but not
of the Duke is accused of raping the wife of Antonio, a
nobleman. The Duke showers no mercy and orders his
ta
they might plot against him too. Vindice accepts this as
a punishment for his misdoings but is delighted to have
finally taken the revenge.

imprisonment. This prompts the Duchess to strike an

affair with Spurio, Duke’s alleged son. The Duchess’s
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other two sons -- Ambitioso and Supervacuo also support

Junior Brother, although for personal gains.
pi

Vindice disguises himself as Piato the Pander and visits

Castiza. When he proposes to lose her virginity to the
Duke’s son, Castiza hits Piato in his face. Vindice is
ar

impressed by his sister’s morals. However, their mother

Gratiana agrees to the proposal of Castiza losing his
virginity to the Duke. Vindice is shocked.

Now, Vindice not only wants to kill the Duke but also his
son, as that will save his sister from losing her honour. To
distract Lussurioso, he tells him that the Duchess is
cheating the Duke with Spurio. On hearing this, Lussurio-
so hurries to the Duchess’s chambers and finds her with

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 Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

Mind Map

Gratiana
Widow; mother

Son Son Daughter

Brother Vindice Sister

Hippolito Also Piato
Castiza
Pandr
Duncan

Lussurioso
Duke's son from earlier
marriage; his heir

The Good Angel

Second Second
Son Wife
Spurio The Duke The Duchess
Duke's alleged child
Children
Valdes

Junior Brother Supervacuo

Ambitioso
eldest son of duchess
Rapir

Husband
Antonio Lady Antonio
a nobleman

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