The Spanish Tragedy: Personification 2 key examples

Revenge lives in the underworld alongside Pluto and Prosperina (the Roman equivalents of the Greek figures of Hades and Persephone.) He has been sent to earth in order to accompany Andrea as they observe the punishment of Don Balthazar, the “author” of Andrea’s death. Revenge, as a character, is dominated by his symbolic role: his job is to oversee the fulfillment of revenge, and he has few other traits. Personified and allegorical characters such as Revenge were common in medieval theater. 

Commenting on his own role within the narrative, Revenge states that he and Andrea must “serve for Chorus in this tragedy.” Much like the chorus in Greek drama, which observed and commented upon the events of the play, Revenge and Andrea are outside the action of the play but are able to provide commentary for the audience. 

In the immediate aftermath of their son’s murder, Hieronimo and Isabella share their grief but disagree on the topic of revenge. The enraged Hieronimo immediately begins to plot his revenge, vowing not to entomb his son’s corpse until he has “revenged” his son. Isabella, however, attempts to calm her husband down, arguing that the truth will prevail whether or not they act upon their sorrow. “Time,” she states, “is the author both of truth and right.” 

In imagining time as an “author,” she suggests that the truth will be revealed eventually, as “time will bring this treachery to light.” Isabella’s personification of time reflects a relatively optimistic worldview in which truth and reason will invariably triumph, as “the heavens are just.” Throughout the course of the play, as political corruption blocks Hieronimo’s attempts to use the law as an instrument of justice, Isabella’s worldview shifts.