The Duchess Of Malfi, The White Devil, The Broken Heart And 'tis Pity She's A Whore

The works are presented in a carefully edited edition drawn from the earliest quartos, with explanatory glosses and a new introduction that explains how these plays used the theatre to probe women’s roles, sexuality, power, and violence. Readers receive essential editorial material to illuminate language, stagecraft, and historical context.

The reading experience is engaging and distinctive because it blends dramatic texts with accessible notes, inviting readers to track recurring themes across the collection, compare character motivations, and consider how performance might have been received on stage in the period. The edition supports study and thoughtful reading, whether in a classroom, a reading group, or personal exploration.

• Four early modern revenge tragedies presented with scholarly apparatus and glosses
• Explanatory glosses and a new introduction analyzing gender, power, and violence in the plays
• Editorial notes on language, dramatic technique, and historical context to support learning
• Exploration of core themes: revenge, ambition, corruption, and taboo desire
• Reading experience designed for study and discussion as well as personal inquiry
• Useful for classroom use, performance considerations, and research references

Readers finish with a deeper understanding of early modern drama, enhanced ability to analyze complex characters and moral ambiguity, and a heightened appreciation for how theatre illuminates social power and human desire. The collection leaves a lasting impression of ambition, risk, and the enduring power of the stage.