004 - Act 4

When the bad bleeds, then is the tragedy good. The Revengers Tragedy is a gripping Jacobean drama that delves into the dark depths of revenge. Centered on Vindici, a man driven by vengeance after the brutal murder of his beloved at the hands of the Duke, the play unfolds as he enlists his brother Hippolito to execute a plan not only against the Duke but also against his corrupt Duchess, who is entangled in an affair with her stepson, Spurio. The Duke’s sons—Lussurioso (Lust), Ambitioso (Ambition), and Supervacuo (Excess)—are also targets of Vindicis wrath. First published anonymously in 1606, the play was long attributed to Cyril Tourneur, but recent scholarship suggests that Thomas Middleton may have been the true author. As a quintessential example of the revenge tragedy genre that captivated audiences in late 16th and early 17th century England, it draws intriguing parallels to Shakespeares Hamlet. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)