With close reference to the representation of female characters in the first three chapters of the White Devil write about the representation of women.

The first 200 words of this essay...

With close reference to the representation of female characters in the first three chapters of the White Devil write about the representation of women.

John Webster writes of three Female characters in his play 'The White Devil;' Isabella, Vittoria and Cornelia, only one of which playing a major role. This character weighting may be an initial clue to the under representation of women in the play which is dominated by male characters.

Vittoria Corobona represents a strong lustful character, who uses her sexuality to persuade other characters. She is shown to break the stereotype of a 'mistress' and stands on her own two feet giving an impression of a strong wilful character, which would only have been found in male characters at the time. However it may be questionable as to her strength as a character, as she is manipulated into having an affair which she may not have thought otherwise about.

We can gain great insight into the representation of her character through the words and actions of the male characters. Lodovicio's opening speech finds him blaming his definition of evil from 'great enemies' to feminine virtues, 'that right whore' (I 8-9) 'a