The Spanish tragedy

1. The Spanish tragedy By Dean, Marco and Parker

2. Thomas Kyd • Was a English dramatist, the author of The Spanish Tragedy • baptized 6 November 1558 – buried 15 August 1594 • One of the most important figures in the development of Elizabethan drama. • Thomas Kyd was the son of Francis and Anna Kyd • was baptized in the church of St Mary Woolnoth • In October 1565 Kyd was enrolled in the newly founded Merchant Taylors' School

3. He may have followed for a time his father's profession; two letters written by him are extant and his handwriting suggests the training of a scrivener. (Scrivener is a scribe, aka someone who can read and write) • Evidence suggests that in the 1580s Kyd became an important playwright, but little is known about his activity. • Kyd is most famous for his play The Spanish Tragedy but his other lesser known works are his translations of Torquato Tasso's Padre diFamiglia and Robert Garnier'sCornelia. • Plays attributed in whole or in part to Kyd include Soliman and Perseda, King Leir, Arden of Feversham and Edward III.

4. From 1587 to 1593 Kyd was in the service of an unidentified noble. • Kyd was arrested on the 11 May 1593 by the the Privy Council. He would later believe that he had been the victim of an informer. • They ordered the arrest of the authors of "divers lewd and mutinous libels" which had been posted around London. • Kyd was eventually released but was not accepted back into his lord's service. • He died at the age of 35

5. Plot Summary • The play begins with Don Andria conversing with the voice of Revenge discussing his death and desire for vengeance on Balthasar for his death. Heratio and Lorenso return to Spane with Balthasar as a prisoner and engage in a dispute as to wich one deserves the recognition of the act. The viceroy of Portugal believes balthasar to be dead until the ambassador returns from spane with the news of his being alive. A love triangle developes between Heratio, Belimperia and Balthasar, once Lorensoenvolves himself this situation quickly becomes bloody. Lorenso has haratio hanged for his envolvement with Belimperia, leading his father to desire revenge. Lorenso’sservent who desired to give Lorenso justice is hanged for his efforts. Heironimo unable to exact justice plans revenge and enlists belimperia to aid in the endever. Heironimo acts the friend and is asked to prepare the entertainment for the wedding of Balthasar and Belimperia, he developes a tragic play which he has LorensoBalthasarBelimperia and himself all take parts. Heironimo and Belimperia kill the other two followed by the suicide of Belimperia. Heironimo reveals the truth of the event’s murders, removes his tung to prevent further speech then commits suicide himself to follow his wife who had commited suicide earlier in the play out of grief for her son heratio. The play concludes with Don Andria and Revenge discussing the fate of the various other characters.

6. Themes • Revenge / Justice • Love • Death / Deceit

7. Characters • Hieronimo- servant to the king, becomes the main protagonist after he finds his son’s dead body. • Bel-Imperia- daughter of the Duke of Castile, falls in love with Andrea and Horatio. • Lorenzo- Aids in the murder of Horatio, great at manipulating others. • Balthazar- Prince of Portugal, kills Horatio and Lorenzo. • Horatio- Son of Hieronimo, good friend of Andrea. • Ghost of Andrea- Dead from the beginning, seeks revenge on those who cause him harm.

8. More Characters • Revenge- A spirit that a companies Andrea thought out the play, he speaks of the living as if they were performing a play for him. • Isabella-Hieronimo’s wife, kills her self which leads to the suicide of Hieronimo. • The King- The King of Spain, good friend of Hieronimo • The Viceroy-The King’s Portugal counter part, dies very dishonourably. • Pedringao- Bel-imperia’s servant, betrays and gets betrayed • Serberine- Adis in the murder of Horatio

9. Activity • How does that make you feel?