Throughout the play, they have illicit dealing and schemes to push their agenda. It begins with them wanting to seize power from the Duchess. Cardinal and Ferdinand are the biggest contributors to this theme. Apparently, this is what Italy was thought of at the time by the British that their politics and corruption went hand in hand. Politics and corruption is a major theme in the play. He feels guilty for the Duchess and even helps when can in small ways, and ultimately, is the reason both brothers are dead. He does what he is asked to do by Ferdinand, but he does seem to have a soft spot for Antonio and the Duchess. Bosola is a spy sent by Ferdinand to the Duchess’s estate. Ferdinand has some sense of consciousness, but both are greedy and selfish. Cardinal and Ferdinand are both questionable, with Cardinal being completely evil. The way each character has its own arc which makes perfect sense, and how they end up even if it is bittersweet.Īntonio wants to try to diffuse the situation before things get out of hand, and The Duchess stays brave in the face of her brothers’ actions. It’s the character dynamics, internal and external that make this play interesting.
They value love and family over everything else and honorable people. The characters of The Duchess and Antonio are the ones who are good from start to end. The play is dramatic in its approach, but since it’s made to be performed, it makes sense and didn’t bother me much. It’s very difficult to explain the plot in brief because there are a lot of things going on with numerous characters. Once the secret is revealed, their plan is set in motion. Although Cardinal and Ferdinand know about the children and are furious, they bide their time till they know who her husband is. They get married secretly and have had three kids over the years.
The Duchess becomes very fond of him, and it is clear that Antonio’s intentions toward the duchess are out of love. They show it as if it’s to keep their family honor and lineage true, but actually want to steal her inheritance by not letting her have children. The Duchess is forbidden to remarry by her brothers.
She has two brothers, Cardinal and Duke Ferdinand, who is her twin. The Duchess is a young widow and rules the town of Amalfi. It is set in Roman Catholic Italy and is loosely based on a true story. The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster is a revenge tragedy play.
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