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Isabella
A Portuguese nobleman. After the war with Spain, Alexandro returns to Portugal, where Villuppo, a fellow nobleman, accuses him of shooting Balthazar, the Viceroy of Portugal’s son, in the back during battle. Balthazar isn’t dead—he was taken prisoner by Horatio and is in Spain—but the viceroy doesn’t know this and fears his son is dead. The viceroy orders Alexandro imprisoned until Balthazar’s death can be confirmed, and once Balthazar is found alive and well in Spain, Alexandro is released with an apology and a public reward. The character of Alexandro and the false accusation made by Villuppo again underscores betrayal within the play, but he also illustrates the privilege of nobles and the upper class in 16th-century society. Alexandro, a nobleman, isn’t immediately executed for his crime; however, Pedringano, a servant of the lower class, is promptly hanged after being accused of murder.
Alexandro Quotes in The Spanish Tragedy
The The Spanish Tragedy quotes below are all either spoken by Alexandro or refer to Alexandro. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 1, Scene 3 Quotes
Thus have I with an envious, forged tale
Deceived the king, betrayed mine enemy,
And hope for guerdon of my villainy.
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Act 3, Scene 1 Quotes
Say, treacherous Villuppo, tell the king,
Wherein hath Alexandro used thee ill?
Rent with remembrance of so foul a deed,
My guilty soul submits me to thy doom:
For not for Alexandro’s injuries,
But for reward and hope to be preferred,
Thus have I shamelessly hazarded his life.
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Alexandro Character Timeline in The Spanish Tragedy
The timeline below shows where the character Alexandro appears in The Spanish Tragedy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 3
The Viceroy of Portugal enters with two attendants, Alexandro and Villuppo. Alexandro confirms that the Portuguese Ambassador has been dispatched to Spain to deliver...
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Villuppo interrupts. He saw Balthazar killed in battle: he watched as Alexandro shot the prince in the back. Alexandro immediately speaks up and says that Villuppo’s accusation...
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Act 3, Scene 1
...that they are left without a suitable heir. They will wait no longer to execute Alexandro, the viceroy says, and Alexandro enters, flanked by armed guards. Alexandro again says he is...
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...Portugal several letters proving his claims, and the viceroy immediately orders the guards to release Alexandro. The viceroy asks Villuppo why he lied and betrayed Alexandro, and Villuppo admits he did...
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