The Revenger's Tragedy - Themes

Themes

The play portrays a decaying moral and political order and demonstrates a nostalgia for the Elizabethan era. Vindice, the revenging protagonist, explicitly links economic problems with the issue of female chastity in several of his speeches. While the play uses this in part to analyse women themselves - their inherent weakness, which eventually leads to heavenly grace - it is also clearly looking back to Elizabeth, the 'Virgin Queen.' The power structure depicted at the play's outset is corrupt and morally bankrupt. The plot follows Vindice's quest to undo this new order, responsible for the death of his beloved and unfit to rule. The thought of unseating a ruler, deeply troubling to Shakespeare, was seized upon with glee by the anonymous author of The Revenger's Tragedy.

In 1607, the Midland Revolt occurred. It was the largest mass revolt since the Northern Rebellion of 1569: thousands rose up in protest against the enclosure of public spaces by wealthy landowners. The rebellions were brutally suppressed; hundreds of people were hanged. Since The Revenger's Tragedy is the story of how two malcontents destroy a dynasty of noble dukes, earls, and lords, it was perhaps wise of the author to remain anonymous.

It is interesting – in this context of imminent rebellion – to compare The Revenger's Tragedy with Shakespeare's Coriolanus, probably published in 1607. Shakespeare addresses the rebels' grievances (shortages and the high price of corn) but his hero is Coriolanus, who disdains and suppresses them. Vindice in The Revenger's Tragedy appears, at least to a modern reader, as a social rebel, who declares, delightedly, "Great men were gods -- if beggars couldn't kill 'em!"

• Revenge

Revenge inflicts equally upon the revenger and the antagonist. This is seen as Vindice resorts to compromising the same moral values that were discarded by the nobility. Within the play, he kills, lies frequently, convinces his mother to prostitute his sister to further his revenge, and allows others to become scapegoats for his sins. This theme is expanded past the main character, as each of the cast which seeks revenge ends up dead: Vindice, Lussurioso, Spurio, Ambitioso, Supervacuo and Hippolito.

The play opens with Vindice explicitly establishing his motive behind his revenge, introducing the backbone of the play. In this opening scene, Vindice carries the skull of his murdered lover; this alludes to Hamlet, a play commonly known for its themes in revenge. Aside from Vindice’s revenge, this theme can be seen throughout the play including Spurio’s retribution against his father and the Duchess’s sons against the Duke’s eldest son.

• Justice
  • Sinners: The Duke is brought to justice in his death for the crime of poisoning Vindice’s betrothed. The third son found his justice for his crime of rape, even with his brothers attempting to save him.
  • Law: There are forms of law without justice. Many acts of justice are performed out of the range of legality. Vindice carries out his revenge as a vigilante.
  • Court: Corruption permeates the court in the play, which obstructs the natural order of justice. The Duke’s opinion overrides the court’s decisions, because he was the one who made the final decision regarding his youngest son’s death.
  • Vigilantism: Vindice embodies vigilantism. He is aware of this fact as he later admits to his actions of murder.
  • Rebellion: Each of the Duke’s sons desires the mantle of their father. Thus they go as far as murdering their own brothers to acquire a position of power.
• Love vs. Lust

The theme of love is portrayed vividly throughout The Revenger’s Tragedy. Familial love, for example, is seen in Vindice’s family; brothers Vindice and Hippolito show this love through their quest for revenge. On the other hand, there is a lack of familial love in the Duke’s family; when the Youngest Son is tried for rape, the Duke does not speak up for him when he could have easily saved him. Lust is also evident throughout the play. The main example of this is the Duke’s pursuit of Vindice’s betrothed. The Duke lusted for her, but she would not give in, leading him to kill her thereby igniting Vindice's vendetta. Another example is seen when the Duke’s son Lussurioso asks a disguised Vindice to persuade Castiza, Vindice’s sister, for sex. Lussurioso’s drive for lust with the virgin Castiza is brought about by her beauty.

• • Adultery
• Morality and Sin: During the play, Vindice both kills and indirectly causes the death of half the court due to their lustful and self-destructive actions. Vindice therefore views himself as a vigilante and justifies his actions by the corruption and adultery he sees in the court.
  • Corruption: Each member of the court possesses his or her own political agenda and is willing to do anything to further his or her own gains, including setting aside moral codes. Even Vindice, who sees himself as working for justice, lies and kills his way through the play.
  • Misogyny: Much of the misogyny within the play is created by the women, who view themselves as weak and incapable of operating without a man. The men in turn see the women as naturally lustful and deceitful, and cannot bring themselves to trust the female cast characters.
  • Family: Familial ties are present, such as the somewhat twisted bonds between the Duke’s various sons, Vindice’s fondness for his sister and his initial relationship with his mother. However, as the corruption progresses through the play, it poisons these ties as brother kills brother and Vindice’s mother sells her own daughter for gold.