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Act 1, Scene 4
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Spanish Tragedy, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Revenge and Justice
Class, Gender, and Society
Love and Madness
Betrayal
Summary
Analysis
As the Ghost of Andrea looks on, he grows increasingly angry. Balthazar, his murderer and the supposed prisoner of Spain, sits at banquet in luxury. Revenge tells Andrea to be patient. Revenge will soon turn their joy to sadness.
Revenge’s delayed action gives Andrea plenty of time to reconsider his desire for vengeance. This interaction makes it clear that seeking revenge is a choice rather than a necessity, and one that is potentially detrimental. It remains to be seen whether Andrea will heed Revenge’s advice or pursue vengeance.
Themes
Literary Devices
