We're guessing Middleton didn't take a women's studies class in school, since The Revenger's Tragedy has pretty defined gender roles, and they often give women the short end of the stick. The female characters are primarily victims, like Antonio's wife, or examples of how not to act, like the Duchess. And when it comes to what makes a woman honorable, the play has strong and limited expectations—namely chastity and concern for reputation.
On the other hand, men don't look so hot in the play either. It's men who perpetuate the cycles of violence that make the play's world such a brutal place, and we don't really get a clear example of a good man who gets much screen time, whereas the female Castiza may be the clearest example of a virtuous character in the play. As a bonus, she survives, unlike most of the male characters.
Questions About Gender
- Is virtue different for men and women in this play, or does it consist of the same qualities for both? Give examples to support your argument.
- Are women less prone to the dangerous cycles of revenge that make the court such a frightening place in the play? Or do they just get revenge in different ways?
- In the play's world, does the successful avenger (whatever that means) have to be male? Or could a woman take that role as well?
- What does it mean to be a strong woman in this play?
Chew on This
Despite the play's limited view of gender roles, women are able to assert themselves and achieve something great within the value system of the play.
The play is equally insistent on chastity as a virtue for both men and women.