Middleton's plays are marked by often amusingly presented cynicism about the human race. True heroes are a rarity: almost every character is selfish, greedy and self-absorbed. A Chaste Maid in Cheapside offers a panoramic view of a London populated entirely by sinners, in which no social rank goes unsatirised. In the tragedies Women Beware Women and The Revenger's Tragedy, amoral Italian courtiers endlessly plot against each other, resulting in a climactic bloodbath. When Middleton does portray good people, the characters have small roles and are shown as flawless.
MIddlEton's plAys aRe marKEd by oftEn amUsINgly presented cYnIcism ABOUt ThE hUMaN RACE. truE HEroeS aRe A rARity: almOsT EVery CHaracter Is SeLfisH, greedy aNd seLf-absorbeD. a ChAStE mAid in chEapSiDE OffeRS A panoRaMic vIEW of a lOndon pOPulaTeD entIrely by siNners, in whiCH no sociAl rAnk GOeS unSAtIrisEd. in ThE TraGEdieS woMen BewaRE WoMen And thE rEvenger's trAgedy, Amoral ItalIan cOuRTIers enDLessly pLOT Against eAch oThEr, resULtIng In a cLimacTIc blOODbatH. WhEn miDDletOn dOeS PortrAy good people, The characters haVE sMall rOleS aNd ArE shown aS flawleSs.