Making sense of The Courier's Tragedy

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The Courier's Tragedy is a fictional Jacobean revenge play written by the fictional Richard Wharfinger. Oedipa sees a performance of it in San Narciso in Chapter 2

Recall that Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is the greatest tragedy of antiquity.

Characters from Squamuglia

Angelo
The evil Duke of Squamuglia. Murders the Duke of Faggio with poison.

Domenico
Friend of Niccolo. Tries to betray his friend to Angelo. Killed (more or less) by Ercole.

Francesca
Sister of Angelo. Angelo wants her to marry Pasquale, who is her son. She is also sleeping with her brother Angelo.

Note the incest theme from Oedipus Rex.

Characters from Faggio

Original Duke of Faggio
Poisoned by Angelo. One reason is that he was sleeping with Angelo's sister, which resulted in Pasquale.

Pasquale
Evil illegitimate son of the Duke of Faggio. Takes over as regent of Faggio for his half-brother Niccolo when their father is murdered. Plans to murder Niccolo eventually.

Niccolo
Rightful heir of Faggio. Flees home, ends up in Squamuglia, posing as a Thurn und Taxis courier.

Ercole
Scheming henchman who saves the life of young Faggio and smuggles him out of the palace.

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