Revenge Tragedy in Elizabethan Drama

Introduction

Revenge tragedy emerged as one of the most influential sub-genres of Elizabethan drama, combining bloodshed, moral conflict, supernatural elements, and a central theme of revenge. Rooted in classical models like Seneca’s tragedies, the genre found new vitality in Elizabethan England, where themes of justice, honor, fate, and retribution deeply resonated with audiences.

Origin and Influence

The revenge tragedy has its roots in Senecan drama, known for:

·         Introspective soliloquies

·         Supernatural interventions (ghosts, omens)

·         Horrific violence

·         Philosophical reflections on fate and death

Thomas Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy (c. 1587) is often credited with launching the English revenge tragedy tradition, laying the foundation for later works such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi.

Key Characteristics of Revenge Tragedy

1.      A Wronged Hero: The protagonist is usually a noble figure who suffers a personal loss (often the murder of a family member).

2.      Ghost or Supernatural Element: A ghost (usually of the murdered person) demands revenge.

3.      Delay of Action: The avenger struggles with moral dilemmas, often delaying revenge.

4.      Play within a Play or Masques: Used to reveal guilt or heighten drama.

5.      Madness (Real or Feigned): The protagonist often pretends to be mad or actually descends into madness.

6.      Use of Soliloquies: To explore internal conflict and philosophical depth.

7.      Violent and Bloody Ending: Most characters, including the avenger, meet tragic ends.

Major Examples

1. Thomas Kyd – The Spanish Tragedy

·         Plot: Hieronimo seeks revenge for the murder of his son Horatio.

·         Significance: Established key revenge motifs — ghost, madness, bloody climax.

·         Innovation: Introduced meta-theatrical elements such as the play-within-the-play.

2. William Shakespeare – Hamlet

·         Plot: Prince Hamlet avenges the murder of his father, the King of Denmark.

·         Ghost’s role: Hamlet’s father’s ghost prompts him to seek revenge.

·         Key features: Feigned madness, introspective soliloquies (e.g., "To be or not to be"), moral hesitation.

3. John Webster – The Duchess of Malfi

·         Though not a pure revenge play, it contains revenge motifs. The Duchess is murdered by her brothers; revenge is enacted by her avenger, Bosola.

·         Themes: Corruption, decay, madness, and retribution.

4. Cyril Tourneur – The Revenger's Tragedy

·         Originally attributed to Tourneur, now sometimes to Thomas Middleton.

·         A dark satire on the corruption of court life and the futility of revenge.

Function and Morality

While revenge appears to be the goal, Elizabethan revenge tragedies are often critical of vengeance. They present revenge as:

·         A personal duty vs. Christian morality

·         A means of restoring honor vs. destructive obsession

·         A form of justice vs. a trigger for chaos

Thus, many revenge heroes become morally ambiguous or tragic figures.

Revenge Tragedy and UGC NET Syllabus Relevance

·         Part of Unit I: Drama – Forms and Conventions

·         Questions related to:

o    Characteristics of revenge tragedy

o    Comparative analysis of key revenge plays

o    Influence of Seneca on Elizabethan drama

o    Use of devices like soliloquy, ghost, and play-within-a-play

Sample MCQs

1. Which of the following plays is considered the first true Elizabethan revenge tragedy?

A. Hamlet
B. The Spanish Tragedy
C. The Revenger’s Tragedy
D. Doctor Faustus
Answer: B. The Spanish Tragedy

2. The ghost in Hamlet first appears to whom?

A. Claudius
B. Hamlet
C. Horatio and the guards
D. Ophelia
Answer: C. Horatio and the guards

3. Who is the avenger in The Revenger’s Tragedy?

A. Vindice
B. Bosola
C. Iago
D. Lorenzo
Answer: A. Vindice

4. The "play within a play" device in Hamlet is used to:

A. Entertain Claudius
B. Distract Gertrude
C. Reveal Claudius’s guilt
D. Trick Ophelia
Answer: C. Reveal Claudius’s guilt

Previous Year UGC NET Questions (PYQs)

1. (UGC NET December 2013)

Which of the following plays is NOT a revenge tragedy?
A. Hamlet
B. The Spanish Tragedy
C. The Duchess of Malfi
D. As You Like It
Answer: D. As You Like It

2. (UGC NET July 2016)

Which element is common to Senecan and Elizabethan revenge tragedy?
A. Comic relief
B. History of England
C. Chorus
D. Ghost
Answer: D. Ghost

3. (UGC NET June 2020)

“To be or not to be” is an example of:
A. Aside
B. Dialogue
C. Soliloquy
D. Irony
Answer: C. Soliloquy

Conclusion

Revenge tragedy in Elizabethan drama is a potent blend of passion, philosophy, and violence, reflecting a society grappling with the ideals of justice and individual agency. Through iconic figures like Hamlet and Hieronimo, the genre explores human fallibility, the limits of revenge, and the consequences of unchecked emotion.