Plot Summary – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’
Act 1:
Act 1, Scene 1 – MARRIAGE SCENE:
• Antonio returns from French court and comments on corruption in Naples
• Ferdinand asks the Duchess to appoint Bosola Master of the Horse so he can spy on her
household
• Ferdinand and the Cardinal forbid the Duchess to remarry
• The Duchess proposes to Antonio, and they marry in secret
Act 2:
Act 2, Scene 1 – THE DUCHESS GOES INTO LABOUR FROM APRICOTS:
• Bosola taunts Castruchio and old lady. Rails against women who paint their faces and the
rotten nature of the human body
• He suspects the Duchess is pregnant and gives her apricots which were thought to induce
labour
• The Duchess immediately goes into labour
• Delio advises Antonio to pretend Bosola’s apricots have poisoned the Duchess
Act 2, Scene 2 – A SON IS BORN:
• Bosola continues to rail against promiscuous women
• Antonia orders the palace gates to be locked and officers summoned
• Servants and officers make bawdy jokes. Antonio tells them that jewels and plates have been
stolen and they are to be locked in their rooms, so they do not hear the Duchess
• The Duchess delivers a son
Act 2, Scene 3 – ANTONIO DROPS THE HOROSCOPE:
• Bosola hears a cry from the Duchess’ bedchamber – Antonio tells him he suspects him of
giving her poisoned apricots
• Antonio drops a horoscope of the baby announcing the birth of a son who will die young
• Bosola finds it and vows to send to the Cardinal and Ferdinand
Act 2, Scene 4 – THE CARDINAL HAS A MISTRESS:
• Julia agrees to be the Cardinal’s mistress. She learns that her husband has arrived in Rome.
Delio arrived to woo her, but she rejects him
• They learn that Ferdinand has heard his sister has given birth and is angry
• Delio fears Antonio’s secret has been uncovered
Act 2, Scene 5 – FERDINAND IS ANGRY:
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Act 1:
Act 1, Scene 1 – MARRIAGE SCENE:
• Antonio returns from French court and comments on corruption in Naples
• Ferdinand asks the Duchess to appoint Bosola Master of the Horse so he can spy on her
household
• Ferdinand and the Cardinal forbid the Duchess to remarry
• The Duchess proposes to Antonio, and they marry in secret
Act 2:
Act 2, Scene 1 – THE DUCHESS GOES INTO LABOUR FROM APRICOTS:
• Bosola taunts Castruchio and old lady. Rails against women who paint their faces and the
rotten nature of the human body
• He suspects the Duchess is pregnant and gives her apricots which were thought to induce
labour
• The Duchess immediately goes into labour
• Delio advises Antonio to pretend Bosola’s apricots have poisoned the Duchess
Act 2, Scene 2 – A SON IS BORN:
• Bosola continues to rail against promiscuous women
• Antonia orders the palace gates to be locked and officers summoned
• Servants and officers make bawdy jokes. Antonio tells them that jewels and plates have been
stolen and they are to be locked in their rooms, so they do not hear the Duchess
• The Duchess delivers a son
Act 2, Scene 3 – ANTONIO DROPS THE HOROSCOPE:
• Bosola hears a cry from the Duchess’ bedchamber – Antonio tells him he suspects him of
giving her poisoned apricots
• Antonio drops a horoscope of the baby announcing the birth of a son who will die young
• Bosola finds it and vows to send to the Cardinal and Ferdinand
Act 2, Scene 4 – THE CARDINAL HAS A MISTRESS:
• Julia agrees to be the Cardinal’s mistress. She learns that her husband has arrived in Rome.
Delio arrived to woo her, but she rejects him
• They learn that Ferdinand has heard his sister has given birth and is angry
• Delio fears Antonio’s secret has been uncovered
Act 2, Scene 5 – FERDINAND IS ANGRY:
7
