The White Devil

Super Short Summary

Written by English playwright John Webster in 1612, The White Devil, a tragedy in five acts, tells a story of adultery, corruption, murder, and revenge among the wealthy and privileged “great men” and women of the Italian nobility. Webster based The White Devil on the sensational murder of a young Italian noblewoman, Vittoria Accoramboni, in 1585. When first performed at the Red Bull Theater, The White Devil was not a success. Webster blamed both the cold weather and the audience of “ignorant asses” for the play’s failure. The White Devil later enjoyed great acclaim, and along with Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, is regarded as a masterpiece. Considered a revenge play, The White Devil demonstrates many of the conventions of the genre, including a theme of vengeance, use of the supernatural, a dumb show, characters in disguise, madness, and many violent murders. In addition to its focus on retribution, The White Devil also explores themes of misogyny, double standards, and the deceptive nature of appearances.