The Satiric Anti-Feminist Ideals of Revenger's Tragedy Puja Harikumar College

When viewed unironically, “The Revenger’s Tragedy” may appear to be a misogynistic play. However, upon viewing it through a satirical lens, it seems unlikely that the playwright shares the motifs and ideas that the story seemingly promotes. Various examples provide evidence that the play could be interpreted as a satire is why it is highly unlikely that the author is a misogynist.

A perfect example of a misogynistic plot device within the play can be found in Gloriana. Her entire purpose in the story’s to get killed off solely to fuel a male character’s desire for vengeance. Her death is made further pointless when it is revealed that Vindice doesn’t even need her for a reason to hate the Duke. “Our lord and father/ Fell sick upon the infection of thy frowns/ And died in sadness” (74, 166-168). If the duke is also responsible for the death of Vindice’s father, why’d the author need to give him another motive for revenge in the form of Gloriana dying?

However, a closer look at Vindice’s soliloquy detailing the Duke’s villainy suggests that Gloriana’s death was not simply the result of the author’s disregard for women. That’s because the script’s specific call for Gloriana’s skull in this opening scene draws a parallel to...