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Study Guide: John Webster's "The Devil's Law Case"

Robbie Carter

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John Webster's "The Devil's Law Case" is a complex and multifaceted play that explores themes of justice, morality, and the nature of evil. This study guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the play, including character analysis, themes, literary devices, and historical context.

Characters

Romola

Romola is the female protagonist of the play. She is a strong, independent woman who is passionate about justice. However, her pursuit of justice often leads her to make rash decisions, which ultimately lead to her downfall.

Study Guide for John Webster's The Devil's Law-Case

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Language	:	English
File size	:	808 KB
Print length	:	25 pages
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Screen Reader	:	Supported

Giovanni

Giovanni is Romola's brother. He is a cold, calculating man who is willing to do anything to achieve his own goals. He is responsible for the death of Romola and her husband.

Contarino

Contarino is Romola's husband. He is a kind and gentle man who is caught in the crossfire between Romola and Giovanni. He is killed by Giovanni.

Leonora

Leonora is Contarino's sister. She is a kind and loving woman who tries to help Romola and Contarino. However, she is ultimately unable to prevent their deaths.

Themes

Justice

"The Devil's Law Case" explores the theme of justice in a number of ways. The play raises questions about the nature of justice and the extent to which justice can be achieved in a corrupt world.

Morality

The play also explores the theme of morality. The characters in the play are often faced with difficult moral choices, and the play examines the consequences of their choices.

Evil

"The Devil's Law Case" is a dark play that explores the nature of evil. The play raises questions about the origins of evil and the extent to which it can be controlled.

Literary Devices

Imagery

Webster uses vivid imagery to create a dark and atmospheric world. The play is full of images of violence and death, which help to convey the play's themes of justice, morality, and evil.

Symbolism

Webster also uses symbolism to convey his themes. The play is full of symbols, such as the snake, the skull, and the cross. These symbols help to create a rich and complex world that invites multiple interpretations.

Irony

Webster uses irony to create a sense of tension and suspense. The play is full of ironic situations, such as the fact that Romola's pursuit of justice ultimately leads to her downfall.

Metaphor

Webster uses metaphors to create a sense of depth and richness. The play is full of metaphors, such as the metaphor of the devil's law case. This metaphor helps to convey the play's themes of justice, morality, and evil.

Historical Context

"The Devil's Law Case" was written during the Jacobean era. This was a time of great social and political change, and the play reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of the period. The play's themes of justice, morality, and evil are particularly relevant to the Jacobean era, as these were issues that were being hotly debated at the time.

Study Guide for John Webster's The Devil's Law-Case

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