John Webster was a major figure in English Jacobean drama, famous for his unflinching exploration of human corruption and the macabre. His masterpieces, 'The White Devil' and 'The Duchess of Malfi', are celebrated for their intense psychological depth, poetic imagery, and their depiction of individuals struggling against a cynical and decadent society. Unlike the more balanced approach of Shakespeare, Webster's world is often characterized by a sense of impending doom and moral decay, famously captured in the phrase 'the skull beneath the skin'. While little is known about his life, his unique, haunting poetic voice and his mastery of tragic form ensure his place as one of the most significant and visceral playwrights in the English language.