Title: The White Devil
Author: John Webster
First published January 1, 1612
128 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781426465246 (ISBN10: 1426465246)
Rating: 3.59
Overview
The White Devil by John Webster, first performed in 1612, tells the story of the scandalous affair between the beautiful Vittoria Corombona and the Duke Brachiano. As their passionate love affair unfolds, their enemies plot their revenge, leading to a thrilling tale of lust, murder, and revenge.
Although guilty of their crimes, Vittoria and Brachiano become unlikely heroes in the face of oppression and societal expectations. This student edition features a new, lengthy introduction that delves into Webster’s radical experimentation with tragic modes, his exploration of the heroic potential of women, and recent stage productions.
Discover the timeless themes and enduring intrigue of this classic play.
Editoral Review
John Webster’s The White Devil, first published in 1612, is a masterful work of Jacobean drama that explores the themes of ambition, revenge, and corruption. Webster, a contemporary of Shakespeare, was known for his skill in crafting complex characters and intricate plots.
The White Devil is no exception, offering a cast of memorable and flawed characters in a story filled with intrigue, betrayal, and tragedy. The play is set in Italy, where the Duke of Brachiano falls hopelessly in love with Vittoria Corombona, a beautiful and ambitious woman from a fallen noble family.
Their forbidden romance sets off a chain of events that leads to murder, deceit, and ultimately, the downfall of all involved. Along the way, we meet a cast of intriguing characters, including Vittoria’s scheming brother Flamineo, the manipulative Francisco de Medici, and the virtuous Isabella, who finds herself caught up in the chaos and corruption of court politics.
At its heart, The White Devil is a meditation on power and its corrupting influence. Webster portrays a world in which ambition and desire lead to a spiral of violence and destruction, where even the most noble of characters can become tainted by the politics of the court.
The play also explores themes of gender and sexuality, with Vittoria’s agency and sexuality threatening the patriarchal ideals of the society in which she lives. Despite its age, The White Devil remains a relevant and powerful work, with echoes of its themes and characters present in modern-day politics and culture.
Webster’s writing is visceral and intense, and his characters are complex and fully realized. This is not a play for the faint of heart, filled as it is with violence, betrayal, and tragedy.
However, for those willing to delve into its dark and twisted world, it is a rewarding and unforgettable journey. That being said, the play is not without its flaws.
Its plot can be convoluted at times, and some of the characters are not as fully fleshed out as others. However, these minor quibbles do not detract from the power of the play as a whole.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend The White Devil to fans of classic drama, particularly those with an interest in Shakespearean works. Its themes are timeless and its characters unforgettable, and its relevance to modern-day issues makes it a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of power, corruption, and desire.
I give The White Devil a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, based on its powerful writing, complex characters, and timeless themes.
