The Duchess of Malfi Quotebank
Remember: Lean quotes that allow you to introduce context
Thematic
Morality and Sin
‘Some fellows, they say, are possessed with the devils, but this great fellow were
able to possess the greatest devil and make him worse’ – SP Bosola
‘Sometimes the devil doth preach’ – Bosola
‘Some curs’d example poison’t near the head / Death and disease through the
whole land spread’ – Antonio (Describing French Court)
‘This foul melancholy will poison all his goodness’ – Antonio
‘And give’t his lecherous father to renew/ The sin of his back’ – Ferdinand
Power and Class
‘The misery of us that are born great / We are forced to woo because none dare
woo us’ – Duchess
‘A man merely for worth, without these shadows/ Of wealth and painted
honours? Possible? – Bosola
‘Men oft are valued high, when h’ are most wretched’ – Duchess
‘Yes, you see what power/ Lightens in great man’s breath’ – Antonio
Gender and Identity
‘Diamonds are of most value, they say, that have passed through the hands of
most jewellers’ – Duchess
‘They are in love. The witchcraft lies in her rank blood’ – Ferdinand
‘Why, now ‘tis most apparent; this precise fellow/Is the duchess’ bawd’ – Bosola
‘When thou wast with thy husband, thou wast watched / Like a tame elephant –
still you are to thank me’ – The Cardinal
Fate
‘I account this world a tedious theatre / For I do play a part in’t ‘gainst my will’ –
Duchess
‘Did any ceremonial form of law / Doom her to not-being’ – Ferdinand
Remember: Lean quotes that allow you to introduce context
Thematic
Morality and Sin
‘Some fellows, they say, are possessed with the devils, but this great fellow were
able to possess the greatest devil and make him worse’ – SP Bosola
‘Sometimes the devil doth preach’ – Bosola
‘Some curs’d example poison’t near the head / Death and disease through the
whole land spread’ – Antonio (Describing French Court)
‘This foul melancholy will poison all his goodness’ – Antonio
‘And give’t his lecherous father to renew/ The sin of his back’ – Ferdinand
Power and Class
‘The misery of us that are born great / We are forced to woo because none dare
woo us’ – Duchess
‘A man merely for worth, without these shadows/ Of wealth and painted
honours? Possible? – Bosola
‘Men oft are valued high, when h’ are most wretched’ – Duchess
‘Yes, you see what power/ Lightens in great man’s breath’ – Antonio
Gender and Identity
‘Diamonds are of most value, they say, that have passed through the hands of
most jewellers’ – Duchess
‘They are in love. The witchcraft lies in her rank blood’ – Ferdinand
‘Why, now ‘tis most apparent; this precise fellow/Is the duchess’ bawd’ – Bosola
‘When thou wast with thy husband, thou wast watched / Like a tame elephant –
still you are to thank me’ – The Cardinal
Fate
‘I account this world a tedious theatre / For I do play a part in’t ‘gainst my will’ –
Duchess
‘Did any ceremonial form of law / Doom her to not-being’ – Ferdinand
