As the Elizabethan era gave way to the reign of James I, England grappled with corruption within the royal court and widespread religious anxiety. Dramatists responded with morally complex plays of dark wit and violent spectacle, exploring the nature of death, the abuse of power and vigilante justic[...]

Revenge plays became the most durable and commercially successful type of drama on the Elizabethan stage. The Spanish Tragedy brings to life the intrigues of the Spanish court, dramatically contrasting romantic passion with violent deaths and clandestine politics.[...]