The Spanish Tragedy

Examine the roles of the Ghost of Andrea and Revenge in shaping the events of the play and discuss whether the characters’ actions are driven by their own choices or by an inevitable course of fate. Consider how the presence of supernatural elements influences the perception of human agency. How does The Spanish Tragedy engage with the concept of fate versus free will?

Lorenzo is portrayed as a devious, scheming character, often described as a “Machiavellian villain.” Explore this term. To what extent do his actions fit this description? How does he compare to other famous Machiavellian villains in Early Modern drama, such as Iago from Shakespeare’s Othello?

Throughout The Spanish Tragedy are plays-within-the-play: masques and dumb shows orchestrated by Hieronimo and Revenge, and the final production of Hieronimo’s play, as well as Hieronimo’s climactic Tragedy of Soliman and Perseda. What is the point of these plays? How do the characters use them to make cultural commentary, to enforce the themes of The Spanish Tragedy, and to accomplish revenge?