<i>Pelopidarum secunda</i>: a ‘site of memory’ in the history of Elizabethan revenge tragedy

Abstract Pelopidarum secunda is an understudied anonymous English adaptation of Seneca's Agamemnon and Sophocles' Electra . The play preserved only in manuscript was probably performed at Winchester College around 1590. Through a combination Marvin Carlson's notions ‘ghosting’ the ‘site memory’ with neo‐historicist approach, article offers close analysis this neglected school from intertextual, performative, extratextual perspective. shows that haunted by memories its classical sources other performance contexts, including church, contains potential allusions to contemporary royal figures. In so doing, I argue showcases role models history Elizabethan revenge tragedy. By conjuring up memorable sources—Sophocles Seneca—and events—past performances executions—the unknown playwright(s) had ambition make equally memorable. Although attempt has evidently failed given obscurity into which fallen far, deserves place archival memory reception as well further scholarly attention within early modern drama studies.