The White Devil - Softcover
John Webster's shocking play depicts the revenge-driven murder of the Italian noblewoman Vittoria Accoramboni. The White Devil holds a poignant and suspenseful tone which is riveting to this day.
Written about three decades after Vittoria's murder took place, we find the characters of the Italian families involved brought to life upon the stage. Webster keenly researched the events leading to the killing, which had become synonymous with the bitter family feuds for which Italy in particular was notorious.
The play itself is set between Rome and Padua, and features both the nobility of Italy such as Monticelso (a Cardinal who later becomes Pope) and Francisco De Medici, who participates in disguise. As the passions of the characters intertwine and blood rises, the tension skilfully woven by Webster crescendos until we are led to the final, dramatic catharsis.
Considered a worthy rival to William Shakespeare in life, John Webster's plays are renowned for their apt use of suspense and pointed yet believable dialog. The White Devil premiered at the Red Bull Theatre in Clerkenwell during 1612. Since its original staging it has enjoyed many productions on both stage and radio, as well as much scholarly discussion.
Written about three decades after Vittoria's murder took place, we find the characters of the Italian families involved brought to life upon the stage. Webster keenly researched the events leading to the killing, which had become synonymous with the bitter family feuds for which Italy in particular was notorious.
The play itself is set between Rome and Padua, and features both the nobility of Italy such as Monticelso (a Cardinal who later becomes Pope) and Francisco De Medici, who participates in disguise. As the passions of the characters intertwine and blood rises, the tension skilfully woven by Webster crescendos until we are led to the final, dramatic catharsis.
Considered a worthy rival to William Shakespeare in life, John Webster's plays are renowned for their apt use of suspense and pointed yet believable dialog. The White Devil premiered at the Red Bull Theatre in Clerkenwell during 1612. Since its original staging it has enjoyed many productions on both stage and radio, as well as much scholarly discussion.
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Christina Luckyj, is Professor of English at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, and the author of several works on early modern drama.
Tragedy in five acts by John Webster, performed and published as The White Divel in 1612. Based on historical events that occurred in Italy during the 1580s, this dark Jacobean drama is considered one of the finest of the period. The White Devil centers on the love affair between the Duke of Brachiano and Vittoria Corombona, two of the play's many unscrupulous characters. Despite her role as a vicious heroine, Vittoria elicits sympathy in her attempt to endure a deeply corrupt society. In The White Devil both evil and good characters are drawn into schemes involving political intrigue, adulterous desire, and bloody revenge. Criticized for its plot construction, the play is noted for its characterizations and use of dramatic tension and physical horror. -- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature
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- PublisherCreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Publication date2016
- ISBN 10 1540483053
- ISBN 13 9781540483058
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages110
- Rating
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