John Webster's "The Duchess of Malfi" is a Jacobean tragedy, likely written around 1611 and published in 1623. The play, based on a story from William Painter's "Palace of Pleasure," plunges into the treacherous world of the Italian Renaissance court, exploring themes of power, corruption, love, and revenge. Webster's vivid portrayal of moral decay and the fierce pursuit of pleasure remains chillingly relevant.