The Spanish Tragedy

The Spanish Tragedy

by

Thomas Kyd

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Spanish Tragedy makes teaching easy.

The Spanish Tragedy: Act 4, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Isabella enters the garden with a knife. “I will revenge myself upon this place / Where thus they murdered my beloved son,” she says and begins to cut down the arbour where Horatio’s body was found hanging. She curses the tree, so it will no longer bear fruit, and then she stabs herself to death.
Isabella’s suicide is further evidence of her mental and emotional suffering after Horatio’s death. She must “revenge herself” as she can’t find justice any other way. The cursed tree that will no longer bear fruit harkens to Isabella’s own womb, which is metaphorically killed when her son is murdered.
Themes
Revenge and Justice  Theme Icon
Class, Gender, and Society Theme Icon
Love and Madness Theme Icon