A1S1 THE DUCHESS OF MALFI
JOHN WEBSTER
SUMMARY
Delio welcomes Antonio back from France and Antonio gives a positive review.
Bosola is introduced as a court gall and then moves on to complain about the
Cardinal. Bosola gives context to the corruption in the Italian court and about
climbing classes in society. The Cardinal’s corrupt nature is revealed, and
Ferdinand is also talked about for his perverse nature. Bosola is appointed as a
spy for the two brothers on the Duchess. The Duchess marries her steward
Antonio, despite her brother’s attempts to dissuade her from this and Cariola
remains on stage at the end of the scene.
THEMES AND CHARACTERS FEATURED
- Corruption
- Marriage
- Social class
- Religion
- Misogyny
- Antonio, Delio, Bosola in A1S1
- Antonio, Delio, Silvio, Castruccio, Julia, Roderigo and Grisolan in A1S2
KEY QUOTES
‘a very formal Frenchman in your habit’, Antonio has travelled to France and
come back dressed in French culture and style at the time- this could be
representative of his reformed state of mind regarding politics and ideas on how
the court should be
‘their judicious king’, the ideal French royal state contrasts to the corrupt Italian
political scene
‘of flattering sycophants’, hypocritical courtiers, advisers to the queen or king,
shows the king in France is resistant to bribes
‘his master’s masterpiece, the work of heaven’, the king is believed to be God’s
representative on earth- religious state of mind at the time, a good prince who
rules wisely emulates the work of God in his creation
JOHN WEBSTER
SUMMARY
Delio welcomes Antonio back from France and Antonio gives a positive review.
Bosola is introduced as a court gall and then moves on to complain about the
Cardinal. Bosola gives context to the corruption in the Italian court and about
climbing classes in society. The Cardinal’s corrupt nature is revealed, and
Ferdinand is also talked about for his perverse nature. Bosola is appointed as a
spy for the two brothers on the Duchess. The Duchess marries her steward
Antonio, despite her brother’s attempts to dissuade her from this and Cariola
remains on stage at the end of the scene.
THEMES AND CHARACTERS FEATURED
- Corruption
- Marriage
- Social class
- Religion
- Misogyny
- Antonio, Delio, Bosola in A1S1
- Antonio, Delio, Silvio, Castruccio, Julia, Roderigo and Grisolan in A1S2
KEY QUOTES
‘a very formal Frenchman in your habit’, Antonio has travelled to France and
come back dressed in French culture and style at the time- this could be
representative of his reformed state of mind regarding politics and ideas on how
the court should be
‘their judicious king’, the ideal French royal state contrasts to the corrupt Italian
political scene
‘of flattering sycophants’, hypocritical courtiers, advisers to the queen or king,
shows the king in France is resistant to bribes
‘his master’s masterpiece, the work of heaven’, the king is believed to be God’s
representative on earth- religious state of mind at the time, a good prince who
rules wisely emulates the work of God in his creation
