THE WHITE DEVIL-John Webster (MA.English)

Summary

John Webster's *The White Devil* is a five-act tragedy written in 1612, centered on themes of revenge, adultery, corruption, and murder among the Italian nobility. Based on the true story of Vittoria Accoramboni's 1585 murder, the play explores the destructive power of deception and vengeance. Key characters include Duke Bracciano, Vittoria, and her scheming brother Flamineo, all caught in a web of passion and betrayal. The play culminates in multiple violent deaths, showcasing the dark consequences of revenge, with a final warning about the inevitability of justice for evildoers.

Takeaways

• 📜 The White Devil is a tragedy written by John Webster in 1612, based on the real-life murder of an Italian noblewoman named Vittoria Accoramboni in 1585.
• 💔 The play explores themes of adultery, corruption, murder, and revenge, all set against the backdrop of Italian nobility.
• ⚔️ As a revenge play, it incorporates conventions like vengeance, supernatural elements, characters in disguise, madness, and violent deaths.
• 👿 The title 'The White Devil' symbolizes deception, with appearances being misleading throughout the play.
• 👩 Vittoria, one of the central characters, engages in an affair with Bracciano, despite both being married to other people, leading to a spiral of violence and murder.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Flamineo, Vittoria’s brother and Bracciano’s secretary, helps them unite for his personal gain, further entangling himself in the web of deceit and crime.
• 💀 Isabella, Bracciano’s wife, is murdered through poison after unknowingly kissing a portrait of her husband, while Vittoria’s husband Camillo is killed in a staged accident.
• ⚖️ Vittoria is wrongfully accused of her husband’s murder and defends herself, but is ultimately imprisoned as a result of a character assassination plot.
• 🔪 The play ends in a series of violent events where Bracciano, Vittoria, and several others are killed in a revenge plot orchestrated by Count Lodovico, with justice finally prevailing.
• 👑 The final scene highlights the triumph of justice, as Giovanni takes his father’s title and sends the remaining wrongdoers to be punished.

Q & A

What is 'The White Devil' by John Webster about?

'The White Devil' is a tragedy that tells the story of adultery, corruption, murder, and revenge among the Italian nobility. It explores themes like vengeance, deception, and the dark nature of human desires.

What historical event inspired John Webster to write 'The White Devil'?

John Webster based 'The White Devil' on the real-life murder of an Italian noblewoman, Vittoria Accoramboni, which took place in 1585.

What are some major themes in 'The White Devil'?

Major themes include vengeance, corruption, misogyny, double standards, madness, deception, and the contrast between appearances and reality.

Who are the main characters in 'The White Devil'?

The main characters are Vittoria, Duke Bracciano, Flamineo (Vittoria’s brother), Isabella (Bracciano's wife), Francisco de Medici, Cardinal Monticelso, and Count Lodovico.

How does Duke Bracciano plan to be with Vittoria?

Duke Bracciano, already married to Isabella, plans to seduce Vittoria, who is married to Camillo. He conspires with Flamineo to kill both their spouses to be together.

How does Isabella, Bracciano's wife, die?

Isabella dies after unknowingly kissing a portrait of Bracciano that has been poisoned by a doctor hired by Bracciano and Flamineo.

How does Camillo, Vittoria’s husband, die?

Camillo is killed by Flamineo, who breaks his neck during a gymnastics competition and makes it look like a vaulting accident.

What role does Count Lodovico play in the story?

Count Lodovico, previously banished from Rome, seeks revenge for the murder of Isabella, whom he secretly loved. He conspires with Francisco de Medici to kill Bracciano and Vittoria.

What is the significance of the title 'The White Devil'?

The title 'The White Devil' symbolizes the deceptive nature of appearances, indicating that someone who looks virtuous on the outside may hide evil intentions beneath the surface.

How does the play end?

The play ends with the deaths of several key characters, including Vittoria, Flamineo, and Bracciano. Count Lodovico reveals his role in the murders, and the surviving character, Giovanni, becomes the new Duke, warning evildoers about the consequences of their actions.