UNIT – I DRAMA THE SPANISH TRAGEDY – THOMAS KYD
UNIT – I DRAMA
THE SPANISH
TRAGEDY – THOMAS KYD
Act I, Scene 1 Summary
The play opens with a ghost — the Ghost of Andrea, a Spanish
nobleman who has died in battle. He enters with Revenge, a personified
figure, who promises to show Andrea the events that will unfold, driven by
vengeance. Andrea tells the story of how he died fighting the Portuguese prince
Balthazar and how, after death, he passed through the underworld. While some
judges believed he deserved peace in the Elysian fields, others argued he should
suffer in hell due to his lust and love for Bel-Imperia. Ultimately, he was
sent back to witness the revenge for his death.
This opening sets a supernatural and moralistic tone for the tragedy.
Andrea is not allowed rest until justice (or revenge) is served. Revenge tells
Andrea they will watch a tragic play unfold, hinting that many people will die
before Andrea is satisfied. This scene establishes the themes of justice, fate,
and revenge that dominate the rest of the drama. The use of a ghost as a framing
device is influential and later seen in Hamlet.
Act I, Scene 2 – Summary
This scene shifts to the Spanish court, where the King of Spain
discusses the recent war with the Portuguese Ambassador. Spain
has defeated Portugal, and the King demands reparations. Lorenzo,
the Duke of Castile’s son, and Horatio, the Marshal’s son, are
introduced as noblemen who fought bravely. They inform the king that Prince
Balthazar of Portugal has been captured. There’s debate about who
deserves the credit for capturing him — Lorenzo claims he and his men took
Balthazar, while Horatio insists that he captured Balthazar in combat.
To resolve the dispute, the king declares that both Lorenzo and Horatio will
share the credit and the reward: Lorenzo will keep Balthazar as a prisoner, and
Horatio will keep Balthazar’s horse and weapon. Meanwhile, Balthazar himself is
smitten with Bel-Imperia, the Duke of Castile’s daughter and
Andrea’s former lover. The king suggests that Balthazar could woo Bel-Imperia,
hoping this would strengthen Spanish-Portuguese ties. The scene sets up
political alliances, rivalry between Lorenzo and Horatio, and introduces
Balthazar’s romantic interest, which will cause conflict later.
Act I, Scene 3 – Summary
In this scene, Bel-Imperia reveals her grief for the death
of her lover, Andrea, and her disdain for Prince Balthazar,
who killed him in battle. She converses with her servant Pedringano,
asking him to help her secretly meet Horatio, whom she now
favors. Despite being a prince, Balthazar’s interest in her is unwelcome, and
Bel-Imperia shows strong agency in resisting political matchmaking. Her
romantic attachment to Horatio is both genuine and an act of defiance against
those pushing her toward Balthazar.
This short but significant scene establishes Bel-Imperia as a central figure
in the revenge plot. Unlike many tragic heroines of the period, she is
politically aware and emotionally driven. Her choice to love Horatio, Andrea’s
close friend and a man of lower rank, intensifies the tension that will grow between
the major characters. The groundwork is laid for a love triangle with dangerous
political and personal consequences, as Lorenzo and Balthazar will both view
Horatio as a threat.
Act II, Scene 1 – Summary
The scene opens with Lorenzo and Balthazar
discussing Bel-Imperia. Balthazar, still smitten with her, expresses
frustration that she does not return his affection. Lorenzo, who is
Bel-Imperia’s brother, reassures him and plots to help secure her love for
Balthazar. Lorenzo’s motives, however, are not entirely noble — he seems more
interested in political advancement and control than in Balthazar’s happiness.
Balthazar is both flattered and manipulated by Lorenzo’s scheming.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo begins to suspect that Bel-Imperia is involved with
someone else — specifically Horatio. His jealousy and sense of
family honor are inflamed. This marks the beginning of Lorenzo’s villainy in
earnest, as he decides that Horatio must be removed as a rival. The audience
sees how quickly courtly politics turn to deception and betrayal. Lorenzo’s
mask of civility hides a calculating and ruthless personality, setting the
stage for the darker events to come.
Act II, Scene 2 – Summary
This scene features Horatio and Bel-Imperia
in a romantic conversation in Hieronimo’s garden. Bel-Imperia expresses her
love openly and passionately, and Horatio, though cautious, reciprocates her
affection. They speak fondly of Andrea and mourn his death, further solidifying
the sincerity of their bond. Bel-Imperia confesses that her love for Horatio is
partly driven by her desire to avenge Andrea’s death by rejecting Balthazar,
his killer. This reveals that her love is not only emotional but politically
and morally motivated.
However, unknown to the lovers, they are being watched. Lorenzo
and Balthazar, hiding nearby with the help of the spy Pedringano,
eavesdrop on the couple’s exchange. Enraged and humiliated, they plan a brutal
response. The lovers’ private affection is thus turned into a dangerous threat.
The scene ends with Lorenzo and Balthazar plotting Horatio’s murder,
signaling a shift from jealousy to violent revenge. This moment intensifies the
tragic trajectory of the play, as love, betrayal, and political vengeance
become dangerously intertwined.
Act II, Scene 3 – Summary
In this scene, we return to the Spanish court where the King of
Spain, the Duke of Castile (Bel-Imperia and Lorenzo’s
father), and the Portuguese Ambassador are present. The king
discusses the political implications of Prince Balthazar’s stay in Spain and
begins arranging a potential marriage alliance between Bel-Imperia
and Balthazar as a symbol of unity between Spain and Portugal.
This political move is meant to heal the wounds of war and secure peace through
royal matrimony.
However, this conversation takes place without any consultation with
Bel-Imperia herself, which underscores the lack of agency noblewomen often had
in political matters. The scene heightens the dramatic irony, as the audience
knows Bel-Imperia not only dislikes Balthazar but is secretly in love with
Horatio. The audience also knows that behind this political maneuvering, darker
plots are unfolding. Lorenzo and Balthazar are not simply allies in court
politics—they are scheming to eliminate Horatio out of jealousy and personal
ambition. Thus, a peaceful diplomatic discussion is layered with dramatic
tension and impending violence.
Act II, Scene 4 – Summary
This short but crucial scene features Lorenzo giving
instructions to Pedringano, his cunning and self-serving
servant. Lorenzo commands Pedringano to keep close watch on Bel-Imperia
and Horatio, confirming his suspicions about their
relationship. Pedringano agrees, partly out of loyalty, but also because he
hopes to gain personal advantage through his service. Lorenzo promises him
reward if he performs well — establishing a corrupt chain of manipulation.
Lorenzo’s descent into villainy deepens as he plots the death of Horatio. He
sees Horatio not just as a rival for Bel-Imperia, but as a threat to his
family’s political standing. Lorenzo’s manipulation of Pedringano, and later
others like Serberine, shows his cold and calculated mind. The
theme of spying and betrayal becomes more prominent, and this scene sets the
groundwork for the murder of Horatio, which occurs in the next
act. The audience is left anticipating tragedy, knowing Lorenzo’s plan is
already in motion.
Act III, Scene 1 – Summary
This pivotal scene opens with Horatio and Bel-Imperia
in Hieronimo’s arbor, reaffirming their love for one another in secret. Their
dialogue is filled with affection and resolve, with Bel-Imperia praising
Horatio’s nobility and loyalty. She declares that even if the world opposes
them, her heart is firmly his. Their love feels sincere and hopeful, providing
a brief emotional respite — but the audience already knows that danger looms
nearby.
Suddenly, their moment is shattered. Lorenzo and Balthazar,
along with masked accomplices (including Serberine and Pedringano),
attack them. Horatio fights bravely but is overpowered and hanged from
a tree, dying a brutal death. Bel-Imperia screams in horror and is dragged
away against her will. The murder is savage and deeply unjust.
Meanwhile, Hieronimo, Horatio’s father, is awakened by the
noise but arrives too late — only to find his son’s lifeless body
hanging. The scene ends with Hieronimo’s anguished cries, setting the stage for
the revenge that will unfold through the rest of the play.
Act III, Scene 2 – Summary
This scene presents Lorenzo and Balthazar
in the aftermath of Horatio’s murder. They are calm and confident, believing
their secret is safe. Lorenzo boasts about how well the plan was executed and
how they managed to dispose of Horatio without suspicion.
Balthazar, though less cunning than Lorenzo, is complicit and seems pleased
that his rival is gone. However, Lorenzo begins to worry about loose ends —
especially the servant Pedringano, who knows too much.
To ensure silence, Lorenzo devises another plan: he will use
Pedringano to kill Serberine, Balthazar’s man, under the pretense that
Serberine might betray them. Lorenzo cunningly intends to have
Pedringano arrested immediately after the murder, thus removing
another witness to Horatio’s killing. This shows Lorenzo’s ruthlessness and
growing paranoia. He manipulates everyone around him and eliminates anyone who
could reveal the truth. The scene further cements Lorenzo as the central
villain and highlights how one crime breeds another.
Act III, Scene 3 – Summary
This scene returns to Hieronimo, who is overwhelmed by
grief and confusion after discovering Horatio’s murder. He tries to make sense
of the crime, questioning how and why such a thing could happen. Though
devastated, he has no clear idea who the murderers are. He cries out for
justice, expressing frustration with a world where wickedness seems to go unpunished.
This moment marks the beginning of Hieronimo’s transition from a grieving
father to a vengeful avenger.
His wife, Isabella, also appears, similarly distraught. Her
sorrow manifests in physical anguish and madness. Hieronimo resolves to pursue legal
justice, hoping to report the crime to the king. But already, the
audience can sense that the traditional path of justice will not satisfy
Hieronimo — nor will it succeed in punishing the guilty. The tragic irony is
that while Hieronimo still believes in law and order, the audience already
knows that corruption and deceit stand in his way. The groundwork for his
psychological unraveling and eventual descent into revenge-driven
action is firmly laid.
Act III, Scene 4 – Summary
This scene is brief but essential. It centers on Pedringano,
who prepares to carry out Lorenzo’s order to kill Serberine.
Pedringano is eager, thinking he has gained his master’s trust and will be well
rewarded. As he prepares for the ambush, he carries a letter given by
Lorenzo, which he believes is a pardon in case he is caught. This
detail becomes crucial later.
After Pedringano assassinates Serberine, he is immediately arrested
by the authorities — just as Lorenzo planned. Pedringano is shocked and
confused, but still confident that the letter will save him. The audience,
however, is aware that Lorenzo has deliberately set him up to
be silenced. This scene highlights the dangerous illusion of loyalty under
corrupt leadership and the ease with which Lorenzo uses people as pawns to protect
himself. It also shows the expanding web of lies and murders, as one crime
demands the concealment of another.
Act III, Scene 5 – Summary
This scene is both tragic and ironic. Pedringano, now
imprisoned for murdering Serberine, awaits his execution. He
is confident that his master Lorenzo will save him, believing the letter he
carries is a royal pardon. As he is led to the gallows, he
proudly hands the letter to the Hangman, believing it will
spare his life. However, the hangman reads it and reveals to the audience that the
letter is blank — a cruel deception by Lorenzo to ensure Pedringano’s
silence.
As Pedringano is executed, the scene serves as a turning point in the
unfolding tragedy. Lorenzo’s manipulative brilliance is fully revealed: he not
only got rid of Serberine but also eliminated Pedringano, the
only witness who could implicate him in Horatio’s murder. The hangman himself
becomes a momentary figure of dark humor, mocking Pedringano’s foolish trust in
his master. This scene reinforces the theme of betrayal,
showing how those closest to power are often its victims. It also signals the
complete moral collapse of Lorenzo’s character.
Act III, Scene 6 – Summary
In this emotionally intense scene, Hieronimo is seen
grappling with his grief over Horatio’s death, becoming more
unstable and increasingly obsessed with finding justice. He laments the lack of
support from the court and expresses frustration that no one seems to take his
plea seriously. His famous line — “Vindicta mihi” (“Vengeance
is mine”) — reflects both his turn toward private revenge and his inner
struggle between lawful justice and personal retaliation.
Shortly after, Lorenzo and Balthazar appear, pretending to
comfort him. They cunningly offer their sympathy and even suggest Hieronimo
might be useful in organizing courtly entertainments. Unaware that they are the
murderers of his son, Hieronimo masks his emotions but becomes increasingly
suspicious. The dramatic irony is thick: the audience knows the truth, but
Hieronimo does not. His growing madness and the deceptive behavior of Lorenzo
and Balthazar highlight the central theme of delayed justice and the
thirst for revenge, setting the stage for Hieronimo’s final
transformation.
Act III, Scene 7 – Summary
This scene takes place at the Spanish court, where the King of Spain,
the Portuguese Ambassador, the Duke of Castile,
and other nobles discuss diplomatic matters — particularly the proposed
marriage between Balthazar and Bel-Imperia. The king praises Balthazar
for his service and reinforces the political benefits of such a union, seeing
it as a means to strengthen peace between Spain and Portugal. The Duke of
Castile supports the match, unaware of Bel-Imperia’s disdain for it.
Meanwhile, Bel-Imperia’s silence and absence become
noticeable. Her resistance to the match is hinted at but not directly addressed
in the scene. The king and nobles interpret her reluctance as modesty or noble
reserve. This misunderstanding reveals the disconnect between public
assumptions and private emotions, especially regarding women’s
autonomy in political alliances. The audience, knowing Bel-Imperia’s true
feelings and grief over Horatio’s death, sees the deepening tragedy and tension
as she is being forced into a union with her lover’s murderer. The scene underscores
how courtly politics overlook personal suffering and justice.
Act III, Scene 8 – Summary
In this brief but revealing scene, Bel-Imperia confronts Hieronimo
in private. She boldly accuses him of cowardice and betrayal, asking why he has
not yet avenged Horatio’s murder. Bel-Imperia is clearly aware
that Hieronimo suspects who the murderers are and criticizes him for remaining
silent. She even questions whether he is involved in concealing the crime,
which deeply offends Hieronimo. Her words stir Hieronimo’s conscience and push
him further toward seeking private revenge rather than waiting
on public justice.
This scene is significant because it unites two grieving characters
— both of whom loved Horatio dearly — in a shared cause of vengeance. Bel-Imperia’s
passion contrasts with Hieronimo’s earlier indecision, and her fiery insistence
seems to awaken him from his hesitation. The emotional charge of the scene is
powerful; it reinforces the idea that justice will not be served by the court
or king but must be taken into their own hands. This pivotal confrontation
signals that revenge will now become action, and not just a
tormented hope.
Act IV, Scene 1 – Summary
This scene returns to the royal court, where the King of Spain,
along with the Duke of Castile, Lorenzo, and Balthazar,
finalize arrangements for the upcoming marriage between Bel-Imperia
and Prince Balthazar. The king enthusiastically praises the
union as a gesture of peace and political harmony between Spain and Portugal.
All the while, Bel-Imperia is noticeably absent, which raises
minor concern, though the others attribute it to noble modesty. Lorenzo
plays the perfect courtier, continuing to hide his crimes under a mask of
civility.
The scene is loaded with dramatic irony — the audience is fully aware that
the marriage is built on bloodshed and deceit, while the court
remains oblivious. The political optimism of the king is contrasted sharply
with the emotional despair and resistance of Bel-Imperia. The scene reinforces
how personal trauma is silenced under the weight of public politics,
and how villains like Lorenzo can thrive in an environment blind to truth. The
audience senses that the court's ignorance will only worsen the coming tragedy.
Act IV, Scene 2 – Summary
In this tense and psychologically charged scene, Hieronimo
finally begins to take concrete action in his quest for revenge. After enduring
grief, confusion, and political dead ends, he decides to confront the King
directly about Horatio’s murder. However, his attempt is delayed when the king
and his courtiers are distracted by preparations for the upcoming royal
entertainment (the marriage of Balthazar and Bel-Imperia). Hieronimo’s cries
for justice are literally and symbolically overlooked,
deepening his despair.
What makes this scene even more powerful is that Hieronimo’s emotional
instability becomes visible to others — the Duke of Castile
and Lorenzo begin to suspect that Hieronimo is either going
mad or becoming dangerous. Hieronimo is forced to retreat and swallow
his rage, but he also begins planning a more subtle and poetic form of
vengeance: a play within the play. His famous silence —
refusing to speak clearly — is not cowardice but a strategy. This scene marks a
turning point, as Hieronimo shifts from frustrated father to
cunning avenger, plotting justice in a manner that reflects the theatricality
of the entire drama.
Act IV, Scene 3 – Summary
This short scene reveals Lorenzo’s increasing paranoia.
Fearing exposure, he begins taking precautions to cover his tracks. He speaks
with the Duke of Castile, his father, and suggests that Bel-Imperia
be kept under closer watch — supposedly for her well-being, but in
truth to prevent her from revealing anything about Horatio’s murder.
Lorenzo manipulates the situation perfectly, using the excuse of Bel-Imperia’s
emotional state to justify her isolation.
The Duke, unaware of Lorenzo’s role in the crime, agrees and orders
Bel-Imperia to be locked away in a tower. Lorenzo has thus
succeeded in silencing two key figures: Pedringano (executed)
and Bel-Imperia (imprisoned). This move not only protects
Lorenzo but also further isolates Bel-Imperia, increasing her suffering and
helplessness. The audience’s tension builds, knowing that the truth is buried
under deception — and that Hieronimo’s revenge must come soon.
The scene highlights how power is abused and how justice is being delayed at
every turn, especially for those who seek it most.
Act IV, Scene 4 – Summary
This powerful scene brings together Hieronimo, Lorenzo,
Balthazar, and other members of the court to finalize
preparations for the court entertainment — a play that
Hieronimo himself proposes to write and direct. He cleverly suggests a tragedy
performed in multiple languages, so each actor speaks in their native
tongue. The king and nobles approve the idea, viewing it as creative and
culturally unifying. But unbeknownst to them, Hieronimo is plotting to
use the play as a cover for real murder.
Meanwhile, Bel-Imperia, still imprisoned, manages to send a
letter hidden in a cane to Hieronimo. In it, she reveals the full
truth: Lorenzo and Balthazar murdered Horatio, and she has
been held captive to prevent her from speaking out. Hieronimo is devastated and
enraged. This confirmation removes any lingering doubt and ignites the final
phase of his revenge. He is no longer just grieving — he is actively,
intelligently preparing a theatrical performance that will deliver justice
through blood. The scene masterfully blends theatricality, irony, and
suspense, moving the play toward its violent climax.
Act IV, Scene 5 – Summary
In this emotionally raw scene, Isabella, Hieronimo’s wife,
is shown spiraling into madness under the weight of grief and injustice.
Her mental state deteriorates rapidly, and she becomes consumed with sorrow
over the murder of her son Horatio. As no justice has been
delivered and no culprit punished, she begins to lose her grip on reality. In
her agony, she destroys the garden arbor where Horatio was
hanged — a symbolic act meant to erase the site of trauma.
Isabella then takes her own life offstage, crying out in anguish. Her
suicide is a devastating consequence of the unchecked evil and the legal
system’s failure to respond. The scene illustrates how deeply the personal
tragedies ripple outward — not only has a young man been murdered, but his
mother is driven to despair and death, and his father is
driven toward vengeance. This moment sets the emotional tone
for the final act, in which Hieronimo’s carefully planned revenge will be
carried out. The personal costs of injustice have reached their peak.
Act V, Scene 1 – Summary
This brief but chilling scene shows Hieronimo fully
prepared to execute his revenge. He enters with Bel-Imperia,
both ready to perform the tragic play he has written. Though disguised as
courtly entertainment, the play is actually a trap — Hieronimo has carefully
cast Balthazar, Lorenzo, Bel-Imperia,
and himself in roles that mirror their real-life crimes and motives.
Importantly, the weapons used in the play will not be props; they will be real
and deadly.
Hieronimo speaks to the audience in a disturbing tone, revealing his
excitement and complete commitment to vengeance. No longer pleading for justice
or truth, he now embraces the same violence that ruined his life. The scene is
heavy with suspense — we know the revenge is imminent, and we also sense that
there is no turning back. Hieronimo’s morality has been overtaken by grief,
rage, and the desire to balance the scales with blood. The
play-within-the-play is about to begin, and the final act of this tragedy is
set in motion.
Act V, Scene 2 – Summary
The scene begins with the King of Spain, the
Portuguese Viceroy, the Duke of Castile, and other
nobles gathered to witness the play that Hieronimo has
prepared as entertainment. They are unaware that the performance will be a
deadly enactment of real vengeance. The atmosphere is festive, and everyone is
eager for the show to begin. Hieronimo introduces the players—himself,
Lorenzo, Balthazar, and Bel-Imperia—each
portraying a tragic character in a story of murder and revenge.
As the play progresses, the fictional drama and real-life events
begin to blur. The audience watches as characters on stage are
“murdered” with alarming realism. What they do not yet realize is that the weapons
are real and the murders are not pretend. Hieronimo
has planned this carefully: he has staged a theatrical performance that is also
an act of poetic justice. This scene builds suspense and
dramatic irony to a climax, as the audience within the play remains ignorant
while the real audience understands the bloody truth unfolding.
Act V, Scene 3 – Summary
This is the explosive and tragic climax of the play. The courtly audience
watches Hieronimo’s “play,” unaware that it is an actual execution of revenge.
During the performance, Lorenzo is stabbed, Balthazar
is killed, and Bel-Imperia, shocking the court, kills
herself with a dagger. These violent deaths are not staged — they are
real. The nobles are horrified and confused, unable to comprehend what has just
happened.
Hieronimo then reveals the truth behind the murders. In a
long, emotionally charged speech, he explains that Lorenzo and Balthazar were
responsible for Horatio’s murder, and that this “play” was his
revenge. The court is stunned. He refuses to name any accomplices and, in a final
act of defiance, bites out his own tongue so that he cannot be
forced to speak further. When given writing tools to confess, he instead uses
the knife to stab the Duke of Castile (his enemy and Lorenzo’s
father) and then kills himself. The stage is left littered
with the dead. The scene powerfully concludes the cycle of injustice and
vengeance, leaving the audience to reflect on the tragic consequences
of delayed justice and unchecked ambition.
Act V, Scene 4 – Epilogue Summary
In the closing scene, the Ghost of Andrea and the
allegorical figure Revenge return, as they had appeared in the
prologue. Andrea, who has silently observed the entire tragic chain of events,
is now satisfied. He has witnessed the violent deaths of his enemies
— Balthazar, Lorenzo, and even Castile — and the grief that consumed those who
loved him, particularly Bel-Imperia and Hieronimo. Although
the cost was devastating, justice has been served according to the code of
revenge.
Revenge declares that each of the major characters will receive a fate
appropriate to their actions in the afterlife. Andrea is granted a peaceful
place among the blessed souls, while his enemies are condemned to
eternal torment. The final lines affirm that justice, though delayed
and delivered outside legal institutions, has been achieved. However, the play
closes on a grim and haunting note, as the cycle of bloodshed and vengeance
leaves nothing but death and ruin. The audience is left to
reflect on the consequences of revenge, the failures of law, and the human cost
of unchecked ambition and deceit.
*****
1. Who appears in the very first scene of the play?
(A) Hieronimo and Bel-Imperia
✅ (B) The Ghost of Andrea and Revenge
(C) Balthazar and Lorenzo
(D) The King and the Duke of Castile
Explanation: The Ghost of Andrea and the personified figure of Revenge
open the play and set its tone.
2. What is the Ghost of Andrea waiting for?
(A) Reincarnation
✅ (B) Vengeance for his death
(C) Bel-Imperia’s marriage
(D) Judgment Day
Explanation: Andrea’s soul cannot rest until those responsible for his
death are punished.
3. Who kills Don Andrea in battle?
✅ (A) Prince Balthazar
(B) Lorenzo
(C) Horatio
(D) Serberine
Explanation: Don Andrea dies in the war against Portugal, killed by
Prince Balthazar.
4. What is Revenge’s promise to Andrea?
(A) To return him to life
(B) To bring peace
✅ (C) To show him how his death will be avenged
(D) To deliver his soul to heaven
Explanation: Revenge acts as a guide, showing Andrea the events that
will lead to retribution.
5. Who disputes over the capture of Balthazar?
(A) Castile and Portugal
✅ (B) Lorenzo and Horatio
(C) Hieronimo and Balthazar
(D) The King and Viceroy
Explanation: Both Lorenzo and Horatio claim credit for Balthazar’s
capture during battle.
6. What decision does the King make regarding Balthazar's capture?
(A) Banishes Horatio
(B) Punishes Lorenzo
✅ (C) Divides the honor between both
(D) Frees Balthazar
Explanation: The King diplomatically splits the reward between Lorenzo
and Horatio.
7. Who falls in love with Bel-Imperia after Andrea’s death?
✅ (A) Prince Balthazar
(B) Horatio
(C) Serberine
(D) Hieronimo
Explanation: Balthazar becomes enamored with Bel-Imperia and seeks to
marry her.
8. What is Bel-Imperia’s attitude toward Balthazar?
(A) She loves him deeply
(B) She is unsure
✅ (C) She detests him
(D) She is unaware of him
Explanation: Bel-Imperia despises Balthazar because he killed Andrea.
9. With whom does Bel-Imperia fall in love after Andrea?
(A) Lorenzo
(B) Balthazar
✅ (C) Horatio
(D) Serberine
Explanation: Bel-Imperia and Horatio form a romantic bond, both
emotionally and politically significant.
10. Who helps Bel-Imperia in her secret affair with Horatio?
(A) Serberine
✅ (B) Pedringano
(C) Lorenzo
(D) Revenge
Explanation: Pedringano, her servant, assists in arranging her secret
meetings.
11. What does Bel-Imperia see in loving Horatio?
(A) A way to rise in court
✅ (B) A way to avenge Andrea’s death
(C) A method to unite Spain and Portugal
(D) A way to make Lorenzo proud
Explanation: Loving Horatio is both romantic and revengeful for her.
12. Who spies on Bel-Imperia and Horatio in the garden?
(A) Hieronimo
✅ (B) Lorenzo and Balthazar
(C) The King and Castile
(D) Serberine and Pedringano
Explanation: Lorenzo and Balthazar overhear their love scene and grow
jealous.
13. What is the result of the spying?
(A) Bel-Imperia is praised
✅ (B) A plot to murder Horatio is formed
(C) Lorenzo confesses his crimes
(D) Horatio is promoted
Explanation: This leads directly to Horatio’s murder.
14. Where is Horatio murdered?
(A) On the battlefield
✅ (B) In Hieronimo’s garden arbor
(C) In the castle court
(D) In prison
Explanation: Horatio is hanged from a tree in Hieronimo’s garden during
a secret meeting.
15. Who is dragged away after Horatio’s murder?
(A) Pedringano
✅ (B) Bel-Imperia
(C) Hieronimo
(D) Serberine
Explanation: Bel-Imperia is abducted and later imprisoned to prevent her
from exposing the truth.
16. Who discovers Horatio’s body?
(A) Lorenzo
(B) The King
✅ (C) Hieronimo
(D) Andrea’s Ghost
Explanation: Hieronimo finds his son hanging and is overcome with grief.
17. What is Hieronimo’s initial reaction to his son’s death?
✅ (A) He is grief-stricken and vows justice
(B) He flees the city
(C) He blames himself
(D) He writes a letter to Bel-Imperia
Explanation: Hieronimo is devastated and begins seeking answers.
18. Who manipulates Pedringano into murdering Serberine?
(A) Balthazar
✅ (B) Lorenzo
(C) Castile
(D) The King
Explanation: Lorenzo uses Pedringano to silence potential witnesses.
19. What does Pedringano believe will happen after the murder?
✅ (A) He’ll be pardoned
(B) He’ll be executed
(C) He’ll be exiled
(D) He’ll become a courtier
Explanation: Lorenzo gives him a false sense of protection with a fake
pardon.
20. What happens to Pedringano after killing Serberine?
(A) He is promoted
(B) He flees
✅ (C) He is executed
(D) He is imprisoned for life
Explanation: Pedringano is betrayed and publicly hanged.
21. Who becomes suspicious of Hieronimo's behavior later?
(A) The King
✅ (B) Lorenzo and Balthazar
(C) Bel-Imperia
(D) Andrea’s Ghost
Explanation: Lorenzo worries Hieronimo is investigating too closely.
22. What does Bel-Imperia do while imprisoned?
✅ (A) Sends a letter to Hieronimo in a cane
(B) Kills herself
(C) Escapes with Horatio
(D) Confesses to Lorenzo
Explanation: She ingeniously communicates the truth to Hieronimo.
23. What finally convinces Hieronimo of who murdered his son?
(A) A court confession
✅ (B) Bel-Imperia’s secret letter
(C) Pedringano’s ghost
(D) The King’s testimony
Explanation: Bel-Imperia’s letter confirms Lorenzo and Balthazar’s
guilt.
24. What plan does Hieronimo devise for revenge?
(A) A duel
✅ (B) A play-within-the-play
(C) A public accusation
(D) Poison at a banquet
Explanation: Hieronimo writes a tragedy and uses it to carry out the
actual murders.
25. Who agrees to act in Hieronimo’s court play?
(A) The King and Viceroy
✅ (B) Lorenzo, Balthazar, and Bel-Imperia
(C) Andrea’s ghost
(D) Isabella and Pedringano
Explanation: Ironically, the very villains agree to star in the play
that leads to their death.
26. What role does Bel-Imperia play in Hieronimo’s revenge play?
(A) A servant girl
(B) The queen of Spain
✅ (C) A tragic heroine who stabs Balthazar
(D) A bystander
Explanation: Bel-Imperia takes part in Hieronimo’s revenge plan by killing
Balthazar during the performance.
27. How does Bel-Imperia die in the final act?
(A) She is poisoned by Lorenzo
✅ (B) She stabs herself after killing Balthazar
(C) She is executed by the King
(D) She is hanged
Explanation: Bel-Imperia kills herself on stage, shocking the
court.
28. What is the reaction of the King to the deaths during the play?
(A) He applauds
✅ (B) He is horrified and confused
(C) He joins in the killing
(D) He faints
Explanation: The King is shocked, not realizing the deaths were
real until Hieronimo confesses.
29. What does Hieronimo do before he dies?
✅ (A) Bites off his tongue and stabs Castile
(B) Escapes the court
(C) Marries Bel-Imperia
(D) Names all his accomplices
Explanation: Hieronimo refuses to reveal more and kills Castile,
then himself.
30. What does Hieronimo's biting off his tongue symbolize?
(A) Silence in grief
✅ (B) His refusal to give names or be interrogated
(C) His madness
(D) A pagan sacrifice
Explanation: Hieronimo chooses death over further confession,
silencing himself literally.
31. What theme is most dominant in The Spanish Tragedy?
(A) Romantic love
(B) National pride
✅ (C) Revenge and justice
(D) Supernatural horror
Explanation: The play revolves around delayed and personal revenge.
32. Which character embodies poetic justice by delivering vengeance
through art?
(A) Lorenzo
(B) Balthazar
(C) Andrea’s Ghost
✅ (D) Hieronimo
Explanation: Hieronimo writes and stages a tragedy to carry out real
revenge.
33. Who is the only major villain not directly killed on stage by
Hieronimo?
✅ (A) Serberine
(B) Lorenzo
(C) Balthazar
(D) Castile
Explanation: Serberine is murdered by Pedringano, not by
Hieronimo.
34. Why does Isabella destroy the arbor in the garden?
(A) She wants to plant flowers for Horatio
(B) She believes it cursed
✅ (C) She is maddened by grief over Horatio's murder
(D) She is ordered to do so
Explanation: The arbor is where Horatio was killed, and
Isabella's grief drives her to destroy it.
35. How does Isabella die?
(A) She is killed by Lorenzo
✅ (B) She commits suicide
(C) She dies of illness
(D) She is exiled and disappears
Explanation: Overcome with sorrow, she takes her own life
offstage.
36. What is the King’s main goal in arranging Bel-Imperia’s marriage?
✅ (A) To maintain peace between Spain and Portugal
(B) To avenge Andrea
(C) To punish Hieronimo
(D) To make Balthazar King
Explanation: The King hopes the marriage will unify the nations
after the war.
37. What literary device is used with the inner play Hieronimo writes?
(A) Allegory
✅ (B) Metatheatre
(C) Soliloquy
(D) Comedy of errors
Explanation: The play-within-the-play is a classic example of metatheatre,
drawing attention to its theatrical form.
38. What is Lorenzo’s fate?
(A) He is exiled
(B) He escapes
✅ (C) He is stabbed by Hieronimo during the play
(D) He is killed by Balthazar
Explanation: Lorenzo is killed in the onstage “play,” which is actually
real revenge.
39. Why does Pedringano carry out Serberine’s murder?
(A) Out of jealousy
(B) Under orders from Bel-Imperia
✅ (C) Because Lorenzo manipulates him
(D) For personal revenge
Explanation: Lorenzo deceives Pedringano into believing Serberine
is a traitor.
40. What is the significance of Andrea’s Ghost throughout the play?
(A) He is comic relief
(B) He haunts Hieronimo
✅ (C) He represents the moral and emotional center
of vengeance
(D) He becomes the king
Explanation: Andrea’s Ghost frames the play, reminding us of the
consequences of war and betrayal.
41. What theme is reinforced by Bel-Imperia’s bold actions?
(A) Female submissiveness
✅ (B) Female agency and resistance
(C) Political obedience
(D) Religious doubt
Explanation: Bel-Imperia resists control, chooses her lover, and participates
in revenge.
42. What final punishment does Revenge assign to Balthazar in the
underworld?
(A) Eternal peace
✅ (B) Eternal torment
(C) Wandering as a ghost
(D) Transformation into a beast
Explanation: Revenge ensures all villains meet torment,
satisfying Andrea.
43. What does the King do upon learning the truth from Hieronimo?
(A) Immediately punishes Lorenzo
(B) Revives Bel-Imperia
✅ (C) Is left stunned and powerless
(D) Pardons Hieronimo
Explanation: The King is paralyzed by the sudden violence and
revelations.
44. What is the effect of Isabella’s death on Hieronimo?
(A) He gives up revenge
✅ (B) It hardens his resolve
(C) He leaves the court
(D) He confesses to the King
Explanation: Her suicide deepens his grief and commitment to
vengeance.
45. Who survives at the end of the play?
(A) Lorenzo and Balthazar
✅ (B) The King and the Viceroy
(C) Hieronimo and Isabella
(D) Andrea’s Ghost and Bel-Imperia
Explanation: Only the royals survive—those oblivious to the real
emotional crimes.
46. What device does Kyd use to explore justice beyond the grave?
✅ (A) The Ghost of Andrea and Revenge
(B) A trial in court
(C) Bel-Imperia’s testimony
(D) Supernatural curses
Explanation: The Ghost of Andrea and Revenge act as chorus-like
figures, witnessing justice.
47. What genre best describes The Spanish Tragedy?
(A) Comedy of manners
(B) Romantic comedy
✅ (C) Revenge tragedy
(D) Historical epic
Explanation: This is one of the earliest and most influential revenge
tragedies in English literature.
48. What emotion dominates the play’s conclusion?
(A) Joy
✅ (B) Tragic catharsis
(C) Peace
(D) Indifference
Explanation: The ending offers emotional release through death,
not resolution.
49. Why is Hieronimo’s revenge delayed?
✅ (A) He seeks legal justice first
(B) He is afraid of Lorenzo
(C) He doesn't know who killed Horatio
(D) He leaves Spain
Explanation: Hieronimo tries to follow the law before turning to
personal vengeance.
50. What role does the audience play in the structure of the play?
(A) They are passive observers
(B) They are participants in the trial
✅ (C) They are forced to reflect on justice, grief,
and revenge
(D) They are ignored by the playwright
Explanation: Kyd uses dramatic irony and direct framing to make the
audience morally engaged.
51. What does Lorenzo do to keep Bel-Imperia silent?
(A) Offers her money
✅ (B) Imprisons her
(C) Marries her off
(D) Sends her away to Portugal
Explanation: Lorenzo has Bel-Imperia locked away to prevent her from revealing
Horatio’s murder.
52. Who ultimately delivers full justice for Horatio’s death?
(A) The King of Spain
✅ (B) Hieronimo
(C) Revenge
(D) Andrea’s Ghost
Explanation: Hieronimo orchestrates and executes the revenge himself.
53. What literary technique is prominently used in Hieronimo’s
play-within-a-play?
(A) Hyperbole
(B) Allegory
✅ (C) Dramatic irony
(D) Pastoral imagery
Explanation: The audience knows the play is real revenge, creating
intense dramatic irony.
54. Who kills Serberine?
✅ (A) Pedringano
(B) Balthazar
(C) Lorenzo
(D) Hieronimo
Explanation: Pedringano murders Serberine, thinking he is obeying
Lorenzo and will be protected.
55. What false promise does Lorenzo make to Pedringano?
(A) Money
(B) Escape from Spain
✅ (C) A royal pardon
(D) Marriage to a noblewoman
Explanation: Lorenzo gives Pedringano a fake letter, which leads
to his execution.
56. What emotion dominates the character of Bel-Imperia throughout the
play?
(A) Indifference
✅ (B) Defiance
(C) Fear
(D) Submission
Explanation: Bel-Imperia is a strong-willed, defiant character
who acts against injustice.
57. What does Andrea’s ghost serve as throughout the play?
(A) A comic relief
(B) A king in disguise
✅ (C) A chorus-like observer
(D) A hidden conspirator
Explanation: Andrea’s Ghost and Revenge observe the action and
reflect on moral consequences.
58. Which of the following best reflects Lorenzo’s character?
(A) Noble and generous
✅ (B) Manipulative and ambitious
(C) Loyal and honest
(D) Weak and cowardly
Explanation: Lorenzo uses deception and power to eliminate his
enemies and protect himself.
59. What does Bel-Imperia use to send her secret message to Hieronimo?
✅ (A) A letter hidden in a cane
(B) A painted scroll
(C) A poisoned goblet
(D) A court messenger
Explanation: She hides the message in a cane, revealing the
murderers’ names.
60. What is the outcome of the wedding arranged between Balthazar and
Bel-Imperia?
(A) They are married happily
(B) It unites the kingdoms
(C) Bel-Imperia flees to Portugal
✅ (D) It ends in bloodshed and death
Explanation: The wedding preparations culminate in the deadly play
and multiple deaths.
61. What type of justice is primarily shown in the play?
(A) Divine justice
(B) Legal justice
✅ (C) Personal/revenge justice
(D) Economic justice
Explanation: Hieronimo’s personal revenge drives the plot after
the law fails him.
62. How is Balthazar killed?
(A) He is poisoned by Lorenzo
(B) He is stabbed by Andrea’s ghost
✅ (C) He is stabbed by Bel-Imperia during the play
(D) He kills himself
Explanation: During the performance, Bel-Imperia stabs Balthazar as
part of the revenge.
63. What genre conventions does the play The Spanish Tragedy
establish?
(A) Comedy of manners
(B) Romantic tragedy
✅ (C) Revenge tragedy
(D) Heroic epic
Explanation: The play is a foundational work of English revenge
tragedy, influencing later works like Hamlet.
64. What ultimately motivates Hieronimo to act decisively?
(A) Public pressure
✅ (B) Bel-Imperia’s letter and Isabella’s death
(C) Threats from the king
(D) Balthazar’s marriage proposal
Explanation: Hieronimo's rage is ignited by Bel-Imperia's letter and
his wife's suicide.
65. What role does the Duke of Castile play in the tragedy?
(A) A conspirator in Horatio's death
✅ (B) Father of Lorenzo and uncle of the King
(C) Secret ally of Bel-Imperia
(D) A Portuguese ambassador
Explanation: Castile is Lorenzo’s father and part of the royal family,
unaware of his son’s crimes.
66. What is ironic about the King’s judgment and sense of justice?
(A) He sees ghosts
✅ (B) He is blind to the crimes in his own court
(C) He jails innocent people
(D) He supports Hieronimo
Explanation: The King remains ignorant of the crimes committed by
those closest to him.
67. What effect does the play-within-the-play have on the characters
involved?
(A) It entertains them
✅ (B) It exposes and punishes the guilty
(C) It elevates their status
(D) It wins Balthazar honor
Explanation: The “play” is Hieronimo’s trap to execute the real
murderers.
68. What language device is used frequently by Hieronimo as his mental
state deteriorates?
(A) Puns
✅ (B) Repetition and fragmented speech
(C) Rhyming couplets
(D) Latin curses
Explanation: His madness is reflected in his fractured, obsessive
speech patterns.
69. What does Hieronimo request from the King near the end?
(A) Execution
(B) Marriage rights
✅ (C) Permission to stage a play
(D) War against Portugal
Explanation: He asks to perform a tragedy, which becomes the tool
for his revenge.
70. What do the nobles believe about the deaths during the play?
(A) That they were staged deaths
(B) That they were faked for applause
✅ (C) That they were acting until Hieronimo
confesses
(D) That Bel-Imperia went mad
Explanation: The royal audience is unaware the murders are real
until Hieronimo explains.
71. What is the overall message The Spanish Tragedy seems to
suggest about justice?
(A) It is always served in time
(B) It should be left to kings
✅ (C) When law fails, revenge becomes inevitable
(D) It only matters for the powerful
Explanation: The play critiques the failure of public justice and
glorifies private revenge.
72. What is the significance of the character Revenge staying silent
during most of the play?
✅ (A) It emphasizes fate and inevitability
(B) It reveals the truth
(C) It mocks the living characters
(D) It shows cowardice
Explanation: Revenge silently guides events, letting justice
unfold tragically and inevitably.
73. How does the play portray noble status?
(A) As a source of wisdom
(B) As comic relief
✅ (C) As morally flawed and corrupt
(D) As protective of the weak
Explanation: Many nobles like Lorenzo abuse power, commit murder,
and manipulate justice.
74. What effect does Andrea’s final words in the epilogue have?
✅ (A) It provides moral closure and judgment
(B) It begins a new subplot
(C) It introduces a sequel
(D) It forgives the killers
Explanation: Andrea reflects on who was rewarded and who was punished
in death.
75. What is the tone of the final lines delivered by Revenge and Andrea?
(A) Joyful
✅ (B) Grim and triumphant
(C) Satirical
(D) Ambiguous
Explanation: Revenge is satisfied, but the tone is dark — justice
came through bloodshed.
76. Who functions as both character and narrative device throughout the
play?
(A) Lorenzo
✅ (B) Revenge
(C) Bel-Imperia
(D) Serberine
Explanation: Revenge acts not only as a character but also as a
symbolic force guiding the plot.
77. What does the phrase “Vindicta mihi” mean, as quoted by Hieronimo?
✅ (A) Vengeance is mine
(B) Peace be with you
(C) For my beloved son
(D) Justice denied
Explanation: The Latin phrase translates to “Vengeance is mine,”
signaling Hieronimo’s intent.
78. How does Hieronimo view the law by the end of the play?
(A) As fair and just
✅ (B) As corrupt and ineffective
(C) As the only path to peace
(D) As religiously inspired
Explanation: The failure of legal justice drives him to take matters
into his own hands.
79. What dramatic form did The Spanish Tragedy help popularize in
Elizabethan England?
(A) Morality plays
✅ (B) Revenge tragedies
(C) Pastoral comedies
(D) Historical chronicles
Explanation: Kyd’s play paved the way for the revenge tragedy
genre, influencing works like Hamlet.
80. Who survives at the end of the play to reflect on the tragedy?
(A) Lorenzo and Pedringano
✅ (B) The King and the Viceroy
(C) Serberine and Andrea
(D) Castile and Bel-Imperia
Explanation: The King of Spain and the Portuguese Viceroy survive
to witness the consequences.
81. What is the function of Hieronimo’s madness in the plot?
(A) To entertain the court
✅ (B) To mask his plan and reflect grief
(C) To please the King
(D) To unite Bel-Imperia and Balthazar
Explanation: His madness is both real and performative, aiding
his revenge.
82. What does Bel-Imperia’s participation in the final revenge signify?
(A) Obedience to her family
✅ (B) Her active resistance and loyalty to Andrea
and Horatio
(C) A sacrifice to the King
(D) Her descent into madness
Explanation: Bel-Imperia helps execute justice rather than remain
passive.
83. What flaw ultimately leads to Lorenzo’s downfall?
(A) Laziness
(B) Religious doubt
✅ (C) Arrogant overconfidence
(D) Pity for Pedringano
Explanation: Lorenzo’s manipulative overreach and belief in his
invincibility cause his end.
84. What is the symbolism of the stage in Hieronimo’s final play?
(A) A battlefield
(B) A prison
✅ (C) A court of justice
(D) A wedding hall
Explanation: The “stage” becomes a courtroom for poetic justice.
85. How is theatrical performance used as a weapon?
(A) To unite the lovers
(B) To entertain the King
✅ (C) To disguise real murder and revenge
(D) To teach Christian values
Explanation: Hieronimo’s play becomes a literal vehicle for vengeance.
86. Which literary convention is NOT typical of The Spanish Tragedy?
(A) Soliloquy
✅ (B) Deus ex machina
(C) Revenge
(D) Ghost as narrator
Explanation: There is no divine intervention to resolve the
conflict; justice is personal.
87. What leads to Hieronimo’s complete disillusionment?
✅ (A) The court’s ignorance and Isabella’s suicide
(B) The death of Lorenzo
(C) His loss of employment
(D) The king’s applause
Explanation: Multiple personal losses and public indifference break
his trust in society.
88. What ultimately brings about the downfall of most characters?
(A) Fate
✅ (B) Revenge and betrayal
(C) Disease
(D) Foreign invasion
Explanation: The entire tragedy unfolds because of schemes,
vengeance, and personal betrayal.
89. What motif frequently appears in the play?
(A) Fire and water
(B) Light and dark
✅ (C) Blood and silence
(D) Wealth and poverty
Explanation: Blood (violence) and silence (concealment)
dominate the tone and action.
90. What happens to Castile in the end?
(A) He ascends the throne
(B) He flees to Portugal
✅ (C) He is stabbed by Hieronimo
(D) He repents his sins
Explanation: Castile, as Lorenzo’s father, is also killed during the
final scene.
91. What poetic structure is often used by noble characters in the play?
✅ (A) Blank verse
(B) Limerick
(C) Prose
(D) Couplet rhymes
Explanation: Most noble or serious dialogue is in blank verse
(unrhymed iambic pentameter).
92. What is the major irony of the King’s trust in Lorenzo?
(A) Lorenzo never speaks
✅ (B) Lorenzo is the one who murders under his protection
(C) Lorenzo saves Horatio
(D) Lorenzo is unaware of the truth
Explanation: The King places faith in the very man responsible for
murder.
93. What is the significance of Isabella’s madness and suicide?
✅ (A) It mirrors the consequences of unresolved
grief
(B) It celebrates feminine virtue
(C) It is an illusion
(D) It protects Horatio
Explanation: Isabella’s actions symbolize the emotional cost of
injustice.
94. What kind of justice is depicted in Andrea’s final judgment in the
underworld?
(A) Legal
✅ (B) Cosmic/poetic
(C) Political
(D) Divine
Explanation: Andrea and Revenge decide eternal fates, symbolizing
poetic justice.
95. What happens to Hieronimo's tongue?
(A) It is cut out by Lorenzo
✅ (B) He bites it off himself
(C) It is poisoned
(D) He swallows it
Explanation: Hieronimo bites off his tongue to refuse speaking
further.
96. What is the King's response after the final murders?
✅ (A) He is horrified and speechless
(B) He executes Hieronimo
(C) He arrests Bel-Imperia
(D) He leaves the court
Explanation: The King is stunned and unable to act immediately.
97. What philosophical question does the play repeatedly raise?
(A) Is love stronger than war?
✅ (B) Can justice exist without law?
(C) Should women rule?
(D) Is Portugal more just than Spain?
Explanation: The play questions whether justice is possible within or
outside legal systems.
98. Why does Hieronimo include foreign languages in the
play-within-the-play?
(A) To confuse the audience
✅ (B) To prevent understanding and maintain realism
(C) To impress the king
(D) To flatter Bel-Imperia
Explanation: Each character speaks in his/her native tongue,
masking real intentions.
99. What is the final action of Andrea and Revenge in the epilogue?
(A) Return to Earth
✅ (B) Assign eternal rewards and punishments
(C) Kill the King
(D) Join Hieronimo
Explanation: Revenge and Andrea judge souls in the afterlife,
ending the moral cycle.
100. What does The Spanish Tragedy ultimately suggest about
vengeance?
(A) It brings peace
(B) It restores love
✅ (C) It consumes everything, even the innocent
(D) It glorifies the hero
Explanation: The play shows that vengeance leads to destruction for
victims and avengers alike.
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