The Revenger’s Tragedy treads a line between macabre humour and moral commentary. Thomas Middleton’s aptly named play begins with a man called Vindice holding the skull of his dead fiancée and vowing to avenge her death. The tragedy that unfolds features complicated plot twists in which the licentious Duke and his corrupt family, who are guilty of rape, poisoning, and much more, become the victims of torture and murder. This edition offers a comprehensive analysis of diverse critical attitudes towards the play, with special attention to its authorship and its ambiguous theological orientation. A thorough discussion of The Revenger’s Tragedy’s rich performance history shows how it has consistently reflected cultural preoccupations with violence and vigilante justice.
