John Webster (c. 1578-1634)

Wrote The Duchess of Malfi (1623).

Characters:

1. Duchess - twin sister of Ferdinand, widowed, marries Antonio in secret, has 3 children, was murdered through Ferdinand's arrangements
2. Antonio - Duchess's steward, marries Duchess in secret, killed by Bosola
3. Ferdinand - twin brother of Duchess, goes insane, killed by Bosola
4. Bosola - spy for Ferdinand in role of Duchess's servant, killed by Ferdinand
5. Cardinal - Duchess's brothers, kills his mistress, Julia, killed by Bosola
6. Julia - mistress of Cardinal
7. Cariola - Duchess's maid
8. Delio - Antonio's friend

Plot summary:

• The Duchess is recently widowed, and her two brothers warn her not to remarry.
• The Duchess accepts Bosola as her servant at Ferdinand's request. Bosola is secretly spying for Ferdinand on the Duchess.
• The Duchess and Antonio secretly marry with Cariola as witness.
• Bosola finds out that the Duchess has given birth to a son because Antonio accidentally drops a paper with the baby's horoscope on it.
• Bosola informs Ferdinand who goes insane with rage. However, Bosola doesn't know who the father is.
• The Duchess gives birth to two more children. Bosola still doesn't know who the father is.
• Ferdinand confronts the Duchess about her promiscuity. The Duchess sends Antonio away. 
• The Duchess, out of sadness, confesses everything to Bosola. Bosola tells everything to her brothers.
• Antonio takes the eldest son and flees to Milan. The Duchess is arrested by Bosola.
• Ferdinand tries to drive the Duchess to despair by arranging a series of horrors. 
• Bosola eventually brings two executioners who strangle the Duchess, her two younger children and Cariola. He feels guilty and wants to seek revenge against the brothers.
• The Cardinal confesses to Julia, his mistress, that the Duchess was murdered, and then he kills her with a poisoned book.
• Bosola mistakes Antonio for the Cardinal and accidentally kills him. He eventually kills the Cardinal. Ferdinand comes in and stabs both the Cardinal and Bosola, who stabs Ferdinand in return. All three die.
• Delio comes in with the Duchess's eldest son who assumes his position as Duke.