How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line.)
Quote #10
KING:
Now show, Ambassador, what our viceroy saith.
Hath he received the articles we sent?HIERONIMO:
Justice, oh, justice to Hieronimo!LORENZO:
Back! See'st thou not the king is busy?HIERONIMO:
Oh, is he so?KING:
Who is he that interrupts our business?HIERONIMO:
Not I. [aside] Hieronimo, beware! Go by, go by.
The king is walking around doing his kingly business when Hieronimo abruptly interrupts and calls for justice. Lorenzo then uses his position of privilege to block Hieronimo's path to the king. Even though this is the only time we actually see Lorenzo blocking access to the king, we know from the duke's report that Lorenzo has been working behind the scenes to make sure Hieronimo never speaks with the king. All of this is possible because Lorenzo is the king's nephew. No access to the king means no access to legal paths of justice, which means Hieronimo must technically become a criminal to get justice.
The play wants to cast Spain as a corrupt place devoid of law. Spain was of course the chief rival to England, so Kyd was playing to the patriotic (or xenophobic) sensibilities of his audience. But the biggest thing to think about is whether or not Hieronimo is justified to go outside of the law even if he's subject to a corrupt system. It's a weighty philosophical problem, and one that the play never fully answers. While looking for your answer be sure to focus on the consequences of Hieronimo's actions. Does justice for Hieronimo's family justify the trail of bodies he leaves behind?