The Spanish Tragedy

Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and analyzes the source text’s depiction of violence, murder, self-harm, and death by suicide. 

The ghost of Andrea, a Spanish soldier, accompanied by the spirit of Revenge, appears in the Spanish court. Andrea recounts how he was killed by Don Balthazar, then cast into the underworld. Deemed unfit to dwell among the souls of lovers, he was sent to be judged by Pluto and Proserpine (Persephone). Persephone sent his spirit back among the living. Revenge tells Andrea that he is there to witness the death of Don Balthazar at the hands of Bel-Imperia, Andrea’s lover.

The King of Spain enters, accompanied by Hieronimo, Castille, and a General. The King is overjoyed to learn from the General that Spain has been victorious in the war against Portugal, suffering minimal losses. The General recounts the decisive battle, during which Don Andrea and his lancers’ heroic actions paved the way for victory until Andrea was slain in combat by Balthazar, the young Portuguese Prince. As Balthazar gloated over Andrea’s corpse, Don