In the Italian court, where wealth secures power and power serves lust, the lascivious Duke can play wherever he chooses. He catches the eye of another's exquisite bride, Bianca. Can a glance secure her fate, a bribe appease her husband?
Isabella's father would marry her off to a rich young idiot, while Hippolito has won her trust and desires her truly. But he's her uncle. These are her choices. If twice-widowed Livia conspires against her sex to gain a little clout, she's only fighting to survive.
Corruption will not go unpunished in Thomas Middleton's blackly funny, fast and ferocious tragedy.