The White Devil
Mar 2020 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
89
Pages
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About this ebook
The White Devil (full original title: The White Divel; or, The Tragedy of Paulo Giordano Ursini, Duke of Brachiano. With The Life and Death of Vittoria Corombona the famous Venetian Curtizan) is a tragedy by English playwright John Webster (c. 1580 – c. 1634). The story is loosely based on an event in Italy thirty years prior to the play's composition: the murder of Vittoria Accoramboni in Padua on 22 December 1585. Webster's dramatisation of this event turned Italian corruption into a vehicle for depicting "the political and moral state of England in his own day", particularly the corruption in the royal court. The play explores the differences between the reality of people and the way they depict themselves as good, "white", or pure.
About the author
John Webster, an enigmatic figure of the 17th century, remains a captivating subject for those intrigued by the intersection of science, religion, and literature. Born around 1610, Webster's life unfolded during a period of profound upheaval in England, marked by the Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and the rise of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. A polymath, Webster was a clergyman, physician, and scholar whose intellectual pursuits spanned a variety of disciplines.Webster's literary contributions are notable for their bold challenges to the prevailing orthodoxies of his time. He was a fervent critic of the established medical practices and superstitions, advocating for a more empirical approach to science and medicine. His works often sparked controversy, as they questioned the legitimacy of widely accepted beliefs and practices, including the persecution of supposed witches and the reliance on alchemy.One of Webster's most revolutionary ideas was his early support for the scientific method, which placed him in the company of contemporary thinkers like Francis Bacon. His insistence on evidence-based inquiry influenced the gradual shift towards modern scientific thought, making him a precursor to the Enlightenment.Webster's influence extended to his contemporaries and beyond, as his writings provided a foundation for later debates on science and rationality. His life and work offer a fascinating glimpse into a transformative period in history, where the seeds of modernity were being sown amidst the remnants of medieval thought. For modern readers, Webster's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of questioning and intellectual courage.
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