The Spanish Tragedy (Drama Classics) - Softcover

Kyd, Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1854593773 ISBN 13: 9781854593771

Publisher: Nick Hern Books, 1997

Synopsis

One of the more popular plays of the Elizabethan period and a major influence on Hamlet.

About this title

From the Back Cover

The Spanish Tragedy became one of the most successful plays on the Elizabethan English stage and laid the foundation of the revenge tragedy, a genre that playwrights returned to throughout the early modern era and that endures even today. The story surrounds the civil servant Hieronimo, who joins Bel-imperia of the royal family to take revenge on her own brother for murdering Hieronimo’s son, the object of her affection. The work goes far beyond a story of intrigue and brings up questions of aristocratic privilege, the moral hazards of revenge, the spectacle of violence, and the agency of women at court.

This Broadview Edition includes a freshly edited text based on the 1592 edition, notes designed to help first-time readers understand and enjoy the work, an extensive introduction that situates the play in its literary and historical context, and extensive historical documents. The documents open up avenues of inquiry for students interested in the life and work of Thomas Kyd, the construction of women at court, the question of revenge, violence, and entertainment in Elizabethan England, and Spain in the Elizabethan imagination.

About the Author

Clara Calvo, University of Murcia, Spain
Jesus Tronch, University of Valencia, Spain

Edition details

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1854593773
• ISBN 13: 9781854593771
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96