About the Plays of John Webster

The plays of Jacobean dramatist John Webster are masterpieces of early seventeenth-century English theatre. The White Devil depicts a dark, sinister world of duplicity, intrigue and murderous infidelity, while The Duchess of Malfi tells the macabre story of a woman who marries beneath herself and sets in motion a terrible cycle of violence.

The Themes and Context

Unlike these revenge tragedies, The Devil’s Law-Case asserts social order in a plot filled with twists of fate. Written at a time when the court of King James was rife with instability and corruption, Webster’s disturbing plays reflect this abuse of power and are known for their horrific vision of humanity – yet they are also some of the most rich, sophisticated dramas ever composed.