The Revenger's Tragedy Theme of Respect and Reputation

Reputation is everything in The Revenger's Tragedy. The sympathetic characters are obsessed with honor and reputation, craving respect and hoping to prove themselves to others, and even most of the bad characters care about the way people see them—that's why so many of the terrible things that go down in this play are done in secret. Maybe it's because you can't keep ruling if everyone knows what a bad dude you are, or maybe there's some human need for respect left in those rotting hearts, but even the Duke's sneaky family seems concerned about reputation.

• What does it mean to be honorable? How are honor and reputation connected in the play? Or are they separate things? Give examples, please.
• Are the characters in this play too concerned about reputation? Why or why not?
• If you do bad things, is it bound to affect your reputation eventually? Or can you get away with it indefinitely, in terms of public opinion? Use the text to support your argument.
• Do different characters have different levels of investment in their reputations? Does Castiza care more about reputation than her mother does, for instance? What does this tell you about the characters?

Vindice is willing to sacrifice his reputation if necessary in exchange for revenge.

Everyone in this play is driven by reputation at some point.