Representation of Women & Ideas of Morality In The Revenger’s Tragedy

The Revenger’s Tragedy, by Thomas Middleton (1607), has many themes and ideas which, through thematic and structural value, effectively “hold a mirror up to nature”. Through the representation of women and the ideas of morality presented, The Revengers Tragedy presents a significant commentary on society. There are many layers to Middleton’s work, and the deeper one looks, the more complex and subversive ideas begin to develop, particularly based around the associated social context.

In The Revenger’s Tragedy, women are represented in a number of different ways, but they are all interlinked. Most of the readily observed depictions bear negative social and moral connotations, whereas if one looks deeper, they may find that there are potentially some sympathetic-feminist views represented in the text. Firstly, there are few women characters in the play, and most of them play very minor dramatic roles (as opposed to their larger thematic roles). This, on the surface may appear to say that they do not contribute to the storyline and thus are insignificant. Neither of these are true. The women do, in fact, drive the plot, and are the motive for almost every action. Vindice is largely driven by Gloriana’s death, the Duchess is behind many of the nobles’ endeavours, Castiza motivates Lussurioso and Hippolito to their various actions. Thus, the women hold some significant power. It is important to note that none of the women try to actively create conflict, but they may (intentionally or otherwise) inspire the male characters into doing so, placing more emphasis on the manner in which they are mistaken as unimportant.

Many or all the male characters in the play hold strong anti-feminist views. Women are largely seen by them as “ma...

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...ake effect. This (also rather interestingly) never happens, the only ‘justice’ done is when men take it into their own hands.

Hippolito says, when nothing is done about the rape and suicide of Antonio’s wife: “Curae leves loquuntur, majores stupent” (A1, S4, L23; also from Seneca’s ‘Hippolytus’ line 607) “Small cares speak out, greater ones are struck dumb,” indicating the fundamental disregard for honour in the society of the time, and the manner in which so many people overlook the true issues present

Through the great variety of themes, ideas and values presented in The Revenger’s Tragedy, particularly the representation of women, and the ideas of morality that are shown, an effective and insightful commentary on society is achieved and it could be said that indeed it does “hold a mirror up to nature”, specifically through the social context of the text.