that Selimus plans to kill them too. They are able to escape from Amasia but Mustaffa and his wife Solyma (who is also the sister of Selimus) are both murdered for their betrayal in Selimus's eyes. Selimus then challenges his brother Acomat to a duel. Tonombey, an Egyptian warrior, taunts Selimus by saying that Acomat can easily beat him in such combat. Selimus then proceeds to strike down Tonombey twice before capturing Acomat and strangling him. With this final murder, Selimus has achieved the complete decimation of his own family. He promises to use the upcoming winter season to rest and prepare for the spring, during which he will launch campaigns to take the crown in Egypt, Persia, and Arabia. Themes The Cruelty of Turks Selimus was written during a time in Europe when the threat of the Turks was very real. "The stage representations of Turkish and Islamic power took place during a time when the Turkish Empire was expanding rapidly throughout Europe." As a consequence of this, we see Selimus and many other characters in the play represented as bloodthirsty murderers which was befitting for the English perspective of the Turks. The author(s) of Selimus may even have tweaked the true history of Selim I in order to emphasize the "cruelty of the Turks." For example, it is not true that Bajazet was murdered by his Selimus, nor that he was poisoned. In Greene's version of history as represented in his play, however, these are both critical parts of the plot. For the English, the threat of the Turks would have been very real and this play would have reinforced their fears. Questions of Filial Duty and the Role of the Monarch Acomat It is the greatest glory of a king When, though his subjects hate his wicked deeds, Yet are they forc’d to bear them all with praise. Aga Whom fear constrains to praise their prince's deeds, That fear eternal hatred in them feeds. Acomat He knows not how to sway the kingly mace, That loves to be great in his people's grace : The surest ground for kings to build upon, Is to be fear’d and curs’d of every one. What, though the world of nations me hate? Hate is peculiar to a prince's state. Aga Where there's no shame, no care of holy law, No faith, no justice, no integrity, That state is full of