The White Devil Study Guide

The White Devil

The White Devil by John Webster

The White Devil is a revenge tragedy set in medieval Italy before and during the reign of Pope Paul IV. It tells the story of an interconnected web of characters living in Rome, Florence, and Venice. Cardinal Monticelso, the future Paul IV, anchors a cast of scheming and adulterous nobles. The play examines the disconnect between the way individuals portray or present themselves and the way they act in private, exposing the devilry in all humans.

  • Monticelso– A Cardinal, later Pope Paul IV.
  • Francisco De Medici– Duke of Florence; in Act V disguised as the Moor, Mulinassar.
  • Brachiano– Otherwise Paulo Giordano Orsini, The Duke of Brachiano, husband of Isabella, and in love with Vittoria.
  • Giovanni– Brachiano's son by Isabella.
  • Lodovico– Sometimes Lodowick, an Italian Count in love with Isabella.
  • Antonelli– Ludovico's friend and conspirator.
  • Gasparo– Ludovico's friend and conspirator.
  • Camillo– Vittoria's husband, nephew of Monticelso.
  • Carlo– Attendant of Brachiano, in league with Francisco.
  • Pedro– Attendant of Brachiano, in league with Francisco.
  • Hortensio– One of Brachiano's officers.
  • Marcello– An attendant to the Duke of Florence; Vittoria's younger brother.
  • Flamineo– Vittoria's brother. Brachiano's secretary.
  • Isabella thorben– Francisco De Medici's sister; first wife of Brachiano
  • Vittoria Corombona– a Venetian lady, sister of Flamineo. first married to Camillo – afterwards to Brachiano
  • Cornelia– Mother to Vittoria, Flamineo, and Marcello
  • Zanche– Moor servant to Vittoria; in love with Flamineo, then Francisco
  • Ambassadors, Courtiers, Lawyers, Officers, Physicians, Conjurer, Armourer, Attendants, Matron of the House of Convertites, Ladies.

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