The Spanish Tragedy

Hey everyone! Don't even bother paying ANY attention to the ...peter kline spouted in his horrendous review of The Spanish Tragedy. Shakespeare wrote Kyd's masterpiece? Give me a break! And I suppose you're also going to say that Shakespeare secretly wrote Marlowe's plays as well, right? Kudos to Mr. Richard for being a well-informed reader of the English Classics! And as for Mr. Kline, you should do some research ...

J.R. Mulryne's edition of *The Spanish Tragedy* is without a doubt the best that may at present be bought: informative, helpful, intelligent and accurate in introducing the text, presenting it, and glossing difficult words and phrases where necessary. The play is among the most exciting and artistic of its period. Kyd writes, and constructs his plot, with a level of skill comparable to that of Shakespeare, who was much influenced by *The Spanish Tragedy*, particularly in writing *Hamlet*, which is possibly yet "richer", but undoubtedly less clear and focused. Kyd shows us in an extremely sophisticated way the workings of revenge, both at an earthly and at a supernatural level. From the beginning the audience knows, in a way that the characters do not, that the supernatural world will insist on revenge. The pain of those who suffer injustice here on earth and clamour for revenge is painful to behold. Ultimately, however, in a baffling way, evildoers are punished: Hieronimo, the main character, manages to take matters into his own hands after exhausting all other possibilities, and thus ironically enacts the wishes of the higher powers. The FORM of Hieronimo's revenge is extraordinarily interesting: under the cloak of art - of a theatrical plot - he manages to kill his evil opponents quite easily. The tension between "art" and "life" is thus handled by Kyd in a very innovative fashion which still shocks modern spectators and readers. The role of language, too, is called into question: much of the play demonstrates that in real life finally action does speak louder than words, which often do not make their point or simply get ignored. Any reader who wants to get a notion of the superb quality of plays written by Shakespeare's contemporaries is certain to admire and enjoy this striking work of art. - Joost Daalder, Professor of English, Flinders University, South Australia

There is growing evidence that while this play was attributed to Thomas Kyd on the slimmest possible evidence, it is actually an early play of Shakespeare. It's similarity to Hamlet has so often been noted that Kyd is supposed to have written a hypothetical earlier version of Hamlet that has never been shown to exist. The way to figure out for yourself who wrote this play is to read some of it aloud. You'll find that its speaches have a musical quality that echoes those in Henry V (which may have been written at about the same time). Also, compare one of its early scenes with a very similar one in Macbeth. The more you read this play aloud, considering the music of its poetry rather than just its imagery and thematic strucure (it's very early Shakespeare) the more you're likely to be struck that here is a masterpiee forgotten (except to scholars) that is worthy of frequent theatrical performance. Perhaps you'll be moved to produce it yourself.

"The Spanish Tragedy" is one of the rarest books of its kind, which has revenge as its central theme, and though it portrays other themes, they all, essentially are secondary to the main theme. What pains me, as a reader is that its worth and merit are so obscurely recognised. It's not given the honour it deserves. Thomas Kyd, the author's life is as obscure as his greatest work. This, despite the fact that he was one of the formative influences on Shakespeare. In fact, much of the technique of dramturgy of Shakespeare, especially in Hamlet, is borrowed from "The Spanish Tragedy"--the enactment of a play within a play, as is done in the climax. The play reflects revenge at every turn--whether it be of Bellimperia's or Horatio's or Hieronimo's. And Kyd has made masterful use of the blank verse and symbolism to lay before the reader, the emotions which his characters undergo. Hieronimo's incessant lament at the treacherous murder of his son, his almost insane babblings...are but fine examples of the use of blank verse in a play.It's a pity that this work is so rare--in fact it's almost out of print. Wish someone'll do something to popularise it and give it its due.

This has to be one of the bloodiest and best plays in the English canon. Predating Hamlet, it tells the familiar story but with more vigour. Deservedly one of the most popular plays of its time, recalled and recognised through parody for years to come, this is the play that changed the course of English drama.