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
Hieronimo enters, followed by the Duke of Castile. Hieronimo asks Castile if he will give a copy of the play to the King of Spain. Castile agrees and exits. Hieronimo calls to Balthazar and asks if he is ready. He tells him to bring a padded chair out for the king, and Balthazar enters with a chair. He puts the chair down and exits, leaving Hieronimo alone. “The plot is laid of dire revenge,” he says. “On then, Hieronimo, pursue revenge, / For nothing want but acting of revenge.”
The play is Hieronimo’s revenge, which has been set into motion. The fact that Hieronimo gives the king a copy of the play suggests that the king will have a copy that is written in English, so he can better follow along with the play. Hieronimo wants the king front and center to see the murders that are about to take place.
Themes
