Characteristics of Revenge Tragedy

A Critical Analysis for Bankura University (Major 4)

Q. Discuss the salient features of the Revenge Tragedy with reference to Elizabethan and Jacobean drama. (12 Marks)

Introduction:
The Revenge Tragedy, also known as the "Tragedy of Blood," was one of the most popular dramatic genres in England during the late Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. Initiated by Thomas Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy and perfected by Shakespeare in Hamlet, this genre drew heavy inspiration from the Roman playwright Seneca. It explores the darker side of human nature, focusing on a protagonist who seeks private justice in a corrupt society.

1. The Motive: A Secret Crime

The plot invariably centers on a serious crime—usually a murder—that has been committed in secret. The victim is often a close relative of the protagonist (a father, son, or lover). Because the murderer is powerful (often a King or Duke) or the crime is unprovable in court, the protagonist feels morally compelled to take the law into his own hands. This creates the central conflict: Individual Justice vs. State Law.

2. The Supernatural Machinery (The Ghost)

A defining Senecan element is the appearance of a Ghost. The supernatural visitor serves a crucial plot function:

• ⚔ It reveals the secret crime to the protagonist.
• ⚔ It urges the protagonist to seek vengeance (e.g., the Ghost of King Hamlet).
• ⚔ It creates an atmosphere of terror and impending doom.

3. The Delay and Hesitation

If the hero killed the villain immediately, the play would end in Act I. Therefore, a psychological characteristic of the genre is the Delay. The avenger hesitates due to external obstacles (guards) or internal moral conflict (as seen in Hamlet’s "To be or not to be").

4. Madness (Feigned or Real)

Madness is a recurring motif. The avenger often adopts a disguise of insanity (Feigned Madness) to spy on the villain without arousing suspicion.
Example: Hieronimo in The Spanish Tragedy bites out his own tongue; Hamlet puts on an "antic disposition." Sometimes, the pressure drives characters to actual madness (e.g., Ophelia).

5. The Play-within-a-Play

This is a dramatic device used to trap the villain. The protagonist stages a performance that mirrors the original crime to observe the villain's reaction and prove their guilt. The most famous example is the "Mousetrap" scene in Hamlet.

6. The Catastrophe: A Bloodbath

Revenge tragedies are notorious for their violent endings. The conclusion is rarely a simple execution of justice; it is a holistic destruction. The avenger succeeds in killing the villain, but in the process, the avenger and many innocent characters also die. The stage is left littered with corpses, signifying that revenge is a destructive force.

Conclusion:
In summary, the Revenge Tragedy is a genre of excess. Through its ghosts, madness, and bloody finales, it allowed Jacobean playwrights to explore the breakdown of order and the chaos of the human psyche.

Model Answer by PKG SIR