The White Devil is a novel by English dramatist John Webster. It was first produced sometime 1612. The source of the
work revolves in the historical events that took place in 1580s Italy.
The Duke of Brachiano is married to Isabella, sister of Francisco, the Duke of Florence. Brachiano has gotten tired of his wife Isabella and falls in love with Vittoria Corombona. Vittoria and Brachiano are encouraged in their adulterous
relationship by Vittoria's brother, Flamineo. He helps Brachiano dispose of both Isabella and Camillo, Vittoria's husband. Flamineo's despicable evil-mindedness continues. He also quarrels with his gentle and honourable younger brother Marcello. In his rage he kills Marcello, with their mother, Cornelia, an involuntary witness of the dastardly murder.
Meanwhile, despite vigorous pleading in her own defence, Vittoria is convicted of murder and adultery. However, Brachiano rescues her and they flee to Padua.
The Duke of Florence, Francisco, is determined to avenge Isabella's death. Meanwhile, Flamineo, strongly believes that he is entitled to rich rewards for his services to Vittoria and Brachiano, seeks his reward from them, but Francisco's men, Gasparo and Lodovico, disguised as Capuchin friars, plot and succeed in murdering Brachiano with the greatest possible cruelty.
The brother and sister, Vittoria and Flamineo, now confront each other. Vittoria doesn't even have to kill her brother as Gasparo and Lodovico return to complete Francisco's
vengeance on both of them.
A tragic play, the height of evil in men.