MALFI CHARACTERS- THE DUCHESS
embodies stoicism
remain calm in the face of adversity- endure with dignity
demonstrated in the way she faces the execution her brothers force upon her.
'I am the Duchess of Malfi still'- she refuses to be subjugated. interesting considering she has had all of her power stripped (dumbshow).
epitome of virtue
ironic considering she defies her brothers and transgresses social norms
in the way she 'woos' Antonio in act 1, the fact she courts him, using double entendre and innuendo. (such as putting the ring on Antonios finger)
defies the patriarchal authority of her brothers
especially considering that Antonio is lower class, un 'suitable'
perhaps only really an epitome of virtue through a modern (progressive) lens
Hamartia
her hamartia (tragic flaw) is her naivety
she marries against her brothers will at the very start, this is the inciting incident, it is what leads to the story unravelling.
she doesn't perceive this to be the reason things go wrong, she sees their desperate desire for control as the reason
they desire this control partially because she is a widow, stereotype of the 'lusty' widow, no man to control her.
moreover, their focus on reputation and status, they want to maintain their reputation, and the heirarchy. references to impure blood, ilness, language of disease in reference to her choices.
heirarchy- contextually links to the great chain of being
name
she remains nameless, defined by her status and role.
yet we do not see her ruling, we never see her in this role. we only really see her in the domestic sphere, as a wife and companion
called a 'prince'- contextual link to 'I have the heart and stomach of a king'- queen Elisabeth 1. is webster showing admiration for Elizabeth through this character
ferdinand
another of the key reasons the brothers don't want her to remarry is because of ferdinands possible ancestral feelings towards her
made overtly plain to the audience when he enters her bedchamber in the dark in act 3, but maybe is less known to Ferdinand himself.
a very sinister moment when he enters her bedchamber, it is intended to perterb, disturb.
he imagines her in moments of sexual intimacy in act 2, 5- perverse, unsettling
problems
she employs subtrefuge, lies, plots, to subvert the truth.
e.g when she says all the jewels that have been stolen when she's in labour
the pilgrimage lie
lying to her brothers saying she 'shall never marry'- then almost immidiatley marries Antonio
evaluating between modern vs contemporary audience
while a modern audience may perceive her as virtuous, strong, independent, therefore seeing her as a victim, a contemporary audience may believe her punishments were necessary and justified.
like when she tells anoitnio 'do not think of them' (short, monosyllabic) and 'time will easily scatter the tempest' in response to Antonios concerns about her brothers
so ironic, as the brothers get increasingly angry as the plot progresses.
antonio
affection for each other demonstrated by their split line dialogue, reflects intimacy, connection
means of death
assfixiation
no bloodshed, a symbol of innocence, perhaps demonstrates Websters stance on the duchess
use of the rope is similar to hanging, they aim to debase her and demean her, but the lack of bloodshed could act as a symbol of her innocence. contrast with the idea that Jacobean revenge tragedies belonged to the 'theatre of blood'
the male charcters, cardinal, Ferdinand, and bosola, all meet bloody deaths...
the duchess bows before her death
reflects how she is ready to enter the kingdom of god. an impression strengthened by her wearing a penitent's constume- something someone would wear repenting before their death.
actions she's taking to assure her entrance to heaven- she is assured in her virtue
DUCHESS VS CARIOLA
contrast between the two, the duchess is stoic and controlled, but cariola is hysterical, perhaps reflecting expectations of women
THE ECHO
could reflect the idea of ressurection, could be aligned with Jesus, godly figure
powerful sense of the commitment in her relationship with Antonio, offering him guidance from the afterlife
their love transcends physical boundaries
even in death, she has retained a sense of herself, even through death they have not severed her relationship
bosola
looks after the duchess' body after her death, carries her body, arguably 'picks up' her soul
the influence the duchess has on bosola is profound
he says he will save the duchess life in act 4, following her loss of the will to live having seen the wax figures.
avenges her
she drives his change in character
yet, the duchess relationship with bosola demonstrates her naivety
she entrusts too much to bosola, who has alterior motives
themes
death, love, religion, excess, expectations vs reality, secrecy, deceit, reputaiton, virtue, punishment, status, salvation, damnation
motifs associated
light imagery, birds, jewells
birds used particularly at her time of death, images of 'caged birds' etc
'diamond justification to get remarried