The White Devil (Revels Student Editions) [Paperback]

John Webster (Author), John Russell Brown (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Revels Student Editions | Publication Date: May 15, 1996

A compellingly dangerous and fascinating play with a comprehensive set of notes and criticism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Tragedy in five acts by John Webster, performed and published as The White Divel in 1612. Based on historical events that occurred in Italy during the 1580s, this dark Jacobean drama is considered one of the finest of the period. The White Devil centers on the love affair between the Duke of Brachiano and Vittoria Corombona, two of the play's many unscrupulous characters. Despite her role as a vicious heroine, Vittoria elicits sympathy in her attempt to endure a deeply corrupt society. In The White Devil both evil and good characters are drawn into schemes involving political intrigue, adulterous desire, and bloody revenge. Criticized for its plot construction, the play is noted for its characterizations and use of dramatic tension and physical horror. -- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Christina Luckyj, is Professor of English at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, and the author of several works on early modern drama.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Manchester University Press (May 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0719043557
• ISBN-13: 978-0719043550
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,451,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marlowe and Shakespeare's Protege, October 23, 2000

By 

Sean Ares Hirsch - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Devil (Drama Classics Series) (Paperback)

For those of you familiar with my writing, you know I cherish the works of Marlowe, Shakespeare, Milton, Hawthorne, and Dickens. Well, I now have a 6th favorite. Lodovico is frighteningly demonic. 1st he participates in the murder of Isabella, then he participates in the revenge of Isabella! Poor Isabella is memorable as a picture of innocence. Vittoria is an interesting woman. She is not exactly a picture of innocence, but she does carry herself well, and she faces her death with as much dignity as possible. Webster also draws the dissension between Francisco and Bracciano well. Bracciano is captivating with all of his ambition. Francisco is memorable as the good and decent man prompted to fury by the death of his innocent sister. The harsh tones between Cornelia and her son Flamineo are dramatic. Bracciano's son Giovanni is well drawn. First he is an innocent young man, but his lines reveal his good character. Then we see him after he has lost both his parents. Finally, he flips the tables on everyone and restores order. Cardinal Monticelso is also captivating. He is a very careful character who probes the situations without losing his sense of reason. And we need not be surprised when this careful character is promoted to Pope Paul IV. What's left? Only striking images, only well constructed passages, only pure terror side by side with beauty etc. My only complaint about this play is that Webster combines 2 wonderful final touches that would be wonderful by themselves, but do not combine well (in my opinion). Lodovico's delight in his massacre does not (in my opinion) mix well with Giovanni's sudden rise to power and his sudden crush of the situation. In my opinion what makes Edward III's restoration to order in Marlowe's "Edward II" so dramatic is the pure terror the 17 year old king instills in his enemies. At this point, I would like to thank all of you who found my reviews helpful.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Play, November 24, 2005

By 

Christopher Marlowe (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Devil (Revels Student Editions) (Paperback)

After you read this, read The Duchess of Malfi, considered Webster's masterpiece. You cannot go wrong with the Revels editions of these plays.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Webster's World of Violence, May 20, 2000

By 

Mimy Mac - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Devil (Drama Classics Series) (Paperback)

The drama of John Webster is characterized by themes of revenge, misanthropy, misogyny, villainy, murder and ultimately violence. Webster's play, The White Devil parallels a modern day soap opera in which the plot keeps readers on their edge with its numerous twists and sub-plots.

I had doubts about reading Jacobean Drama, but once I picked up The White Devil, I was hooked. I was especially intrigued with the duality of the heroine Vittoria. In Vittoria, Webster offers us a character we love to hate, but finds ourselves pitying her, perhaps even siding with her.

The White Devil is certainly a play worth reading.