The Spanish Tragedy
Quick Summary
The Spanish Tragedy, written by Thomas Kyd around 1587, is a seminal work in the revenge tragedy genre. The play begins with the ghost of Andrea, who seeks vengeance for his death. The protagonist, Hieronimo, a Spanish gentleman, is driven to despair by the murder of his son. After discovering the culprits, Hieronimo devises an elaborate plan for revenge, which he executes by staging a play within the play, ultimately leading to the deaths of the murderers and himself. This play significantly influenced later works, including Shakespeare's Hamlet.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
revenge tragedy…stage by Thomas Kyd with The Spanish Tragedy (performed c. 1587). This work, which opens with the Ghost of Andrea and Revenge, deals with Hieronimo, a Spanish gentleman who is driven to melancholy by the murder of his son. Between spells of madness, he discovers who the murderers are and…
Read More…stage by Thomas Kyd with The Spanish Tragedy (performed c. 1587). This work, which opens with the Ghost of Andrea and Revenge, deals with Hieronimo, a Spanish gentleman who is driven to melancholy by the murder of his son. Between spells of madness, he discovers who the murderers are and…
Read More
tragedyElizabethanThomas Kyd’s Spanish Tragedy (c. 1587) continued the Senecan tradition of the “tragedy of blood” with somewhat more sophistication than Gorboduc but even more bloodletting. Elizabethan tragedy never freed itself completely from certain melodramatic aspects of the influence of Seneca.
Read MoreThomas Kyd’s Spanish Tragedy (c. 1587) continued the Senecan tradition of the “tragedy of blood” with somewhat more sophistication than Gorboduc but even more bloodletting. Elizabethan tragedy never freed itself completely from certain melodramatic aspects of the influence of Seneca.
Read More