Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Spanish Tragedy, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Revenge and Justice
Class, Gender, and Society
Love and Madness
Betrayal
Summary
Analysis
The King of Spain enters, along with his brother, the Duke of Castile; a general; and Hieronimo, the Knight Marshal of Spain. The general informs the king that they have been victorious in war and have suffered few loses. The Portingales, the general says, will pay “tribute” and “homage.” The general goes on to tell the king about the battle. Both Spain and Portingale were well-equipped, and they were locked in battle for hours, until the brave Don Andrea broke through the Portingale’s line. The Portingales began to retreat, but their prince, Balthazar, killed Andrea and “insulted” him.
Portingales is another term for the Portuguese, who the Spanish have defeated in this most recent war. The general’s reference to “tribute” and “homage” suggests that the two countries have placed bets on their battles, and now Portugal must pay. Balthazar’s “insult” of Andrea in death suggests that Balthazar’s actions were not entirely honorable, hence Andrea’s desire for revenge.
Themes
Literary Devices
The general tells the King of Spain, that Hieronimo’s son, Horatio, challenged Balthazar and easily knocked the prince from his horse. He took Balthazar prisoner, and the Portingales retreated. A trumpet sounds to announce the return of the soldiers. Horatio enters with Lorenzo, another soldier and the son of the Duke of Castile, holding Balthazar as their prisoner. They bring Balthazar before the king, who welcomes the prince to his country. The king addresses Horatio as well, and he thanks him for his duty and for honoring Spain.
Interestingly, the general says that Horatio knocked Balthazar from his horse, but Lorenzo later claims that he unhorsed Balthazar and recovered his weapons during battle. Presumably, Lorenzo is lying, like Villuppo does later in the Portuguese subplot. Like Villuppo, Lorenzo betrays Horatio to steal his glory and impress the king.
Themes
The King of Spain tells Balthazar that if the truce between Spain and Portingale is honored, peace between the two countries is sure to grow. In the meantime, the king says, Balthazar will remain their prisoner, and while he won’t be free, he will be kept in luxury. Both Lorenzo and Horatio are restraining Balthazar, so the king asks which one of them subdued the prince. Lorenzo and Horatio both claim to have taken Balthazar prisoner. Lorenzo claims to have captured Balthazar’s horse, but Horatio claims to have knocked Balthazar from his horse in the first place. Lorenzo then says he is the one who secured Balthazar’s weapons, yet Horatio says he was the one to disarm Balthazar.
Again, Lorenzo is lying to betray Horatio and impress the king. When Horatio later tells Bel-Imperia about his capture of Balthazar, he doesn’t even mention Lorenzo being there. Likely, Lorenzo and Balthazar are already in cahoots, and Lorenzo is trying to ensure that Horatio doesn’t get any of the credit for taking Balthazar down. Kyd ultimately argues that betrayal is everywhere, and this begins immediately with Lorenzo’s betrayal of Horatio and the lies Lorenzo tells the king.
Themes
Literary Devices
The King of Spain asks Balthazar if he surrendered to Lorenzo or Horatio, and Balthazar claims to have surrendered to both. As such, the king says that both Horatio and Lorenzo shall be rewarded. He awards Lorenzo, his nephew, Balthazar’s weapons and horse, and he tells Horatio that he will be rewarded Balthazar’s ransom. As they all exit, the king says they shall feast with their prisoner as their guest.
As Balthazar, too, lies and claims to have been subdued by Lorenzo and Horatio, this also suggests that Balthazar and Lorenzo are already colluding together. If Balthazar and Lorenzo didn’t already have plans to join forces and convince Bel-Imperia to marry Balthazar, it is unlikely Balthazar would lie to help Lorenzo.
Themes
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