The Jew of Malta

by David Bevington

Published 21 August 1997
This edition contains in distilled form the insight and learning found iun the fuller Revels critical edition, but with less of the learned apparatus that is appropriate to a critical edition. The introduction and commentary are compact and up to date. The price and format are designed to be competitive with any paperback teaching edition of this play.

The "revenge" play became the most durable and commercially successful type of drama on the Elizabethan stage. This example by Thomas Kyd, who was one of the originators of the genre, brings to life the intrigues of the Spanish court, dramatically juxtaposing romantic passion with sudden violent death and clandestine politics. The ghost of Dan Andrea and his guide Revenge observe the dark and bloody action throughout, provoking questions about the nature of the human condition.