Elements of medieval horror tragedy in the Duchess of Malfi

Evaluation of modern plays becomes more precise as we gain insights into the great plays of the past. John Webster wrote two plays, The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil, in which the elements of horror contribute to the greatness of the play. Only by relating these elements to the preceding Medieval period can we fully appreciate the skill of his compositions. This paper deals directly with The Duchess of Malfi.