63 pages • 2 hours read
Thomas KydThe Spanish Tragedy
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1587A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd is an Elizabethan revenge tragedy that begins with Horatio and Lorenzo disputing credit for capturing Balthazar, a Portuguese prince taken hostage after a significant battle. As tensions rise, Bel-imperia, who loved Andrea—killed by Balthazar—falls for Horatio. Following treachery and murder orchestrated by Lorenzo and Balthazar, Horatio's father, Hieronimo, enacts a brutal revenge plot involving a play-within-a-play, culminating in multiple deaths and his own suicide. The characters of Revenge and the ghost of Andrea oversee the events, revealing the consequences of moral actions beyond the immediate story. The play includes graphic violence, murder, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd is widely praised for its influential role in early Elizabethan drama. Critics commend its compelling plot and rich language, while some note its melodramatic elements and complex revenge themes may not appeal to all modern readers. Overall, it remains an essential read for those interested in the origins of revenge tragedy.
Who Should Read The Spanish Tragedy?
The ideal reader for Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy enjoys Elizabethan drama rich in revenge, intrigue, and psychological depth. Fans of Shakespeare's Hamlet or Marlowe's Doctor Faustus will appreciate the complex characters and dark themes. This reader seeks classic works exploring morality, justice, and human emotion.