Representation of Social Justice

This study aims to examine John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi to shed light on how tragedy represents social justice. Until now, studies on The Duchess of Malfi have been conducted focused on feministic, historic, political and social aspects. These aforementioned studies seem to have contributed to understanding, through the tragedy, of social problems during the era. However, they stop short of stipulating how to resolve social problems. They simply expose historical, social, political and religious problems without the answers thereto. In consideration of the problem and such theories as Aristotle’s theories on tragedy, Hume’s theories on empathy and Johnson’s theories on moral imagination, this study sheds light on how the genre of tragedy serves as an effective vehicle for reforming society and enlightening the public. By representing the decadent situations of the era, Webster strongly highlights, in The Duchess of Malfi, the need for a free society and a government that guarantees social justice. Webster delivers a strong message, through the Duchess’s tragic death, which puts into the public sphere such topics as realization of social justice concerning human rights to freedom and equality.