The Spanish Tragedy is primarily set in the kingdom of Spain during the 16th century. After an unnamed war, Spain has defeated the Portuguese military and intends to take advantage of this victory by uniting the monarchies of the two nations under the Spanish crown. The play does not provide an extensive description of specific locations or actual historical events, but it conveys a general sense of its various settings through dialogue, action, and references. The courtly Spanish setting serves as a backdrop for the unfolding political drama and the play’s exploration of revenge, intrigue, and tragedy.
Some of the key settings in the play include The Court of Spain and the Palace of the King, locations that establish the political scope of the play and, ultimately, the full depth of the corruption plaguing the Kingdom. Significant scenes are also set in the House of Hieronimo, the garden in which Horatio is brutally murdered, and the tomb of Don Andrea, where Hieronimo reveals his plan for revenge. Some brief but tumultuous scenes are set in the court of Portugal, and other locations—including Hades (the underworld in Greek myth) and a battlefield—are described in flashbacks and conversation but are never shown directly on the stage.
Overall, the setting of The Spanish Tragedy reflects English perceptions of the Spanish court and society of the time. Spain and England were in fact enemy nations at the time of the play’s production, divided both politically and spiritually, as the Kingdom of Britain was officially a Protestant nation and Spain a Catholic one. Kyd’s decision to set the play in Spain rather than England allowed him to more freely discuss politically sensitive topics, such as rampant political corruption and even the murder of a King.
