"Webster's view of the world is utterly bleak." Use your knowledge of three specific episodes in 'The Duchess of Malfi' to discuss this statement.
"Webster's view of the world is utterly bleak." Use your knowledge of three specific episodes in 'The Duchess of Malfi' to discuss this statement. Like other tragedies, 'The Duchess of Malfi' is abundant in exploring darker and more unpleasant elements such as death and murder. Additionally, Webster portrays a variety of these themes including secrecy, deceit, and the general corruption of society; these are contrasted with themes such as love, honesty and courage, and thus all of the elements are highlighted as they complement each other. Webster's view of the world may be considered as "utterly bleak" on account of this wide variety of negative themes which are powerful enough on their own, and how they all contribute to the destruction of the little good that there is in Malfi. Moreover, the language and actions carried out by many of the characters are particularly graphic and at some times even morbid and unnerving. It has often been said that Webster uses Bosola as the narrator to the audience; a commentator giving his opinion on certain situations and his view of the world as a whole. This can be seen through his frequent descriptions of what he sees as the deeper meaning of the situations that are occurring on the surface. "And though continually we bear about us A rotten and dead body, we delight To hide it in rich tissue." Bosola generally has a very cynical
The Duchess Of Malfi - Commentary On Important Scenes
The Duchess Of Malfi - Commentary On Important Scenes Act I, Scene I Genres: Renaissance Tragedies - Revenge Tragedy / Romantic Tragedy / Political Tragedy Bosola: Complex / Contradictory character / Anti-hero / Dark perspective Spokesman for the play - Demands audiences attention "Valiant" / "Melancholic moods, poisoned his goodness" Sees self as realist. Actually more of a dillusioned idealist Antonio: Noble in character - Not in birth Describes the virtues of the French Court - Contrast to Italian rulers of the time European setting - Allows corruption of the time to be criticized without public censor Act I, Scene II Duchess and Brothers present - Duchess never referred to by Name. Brothers: Antonio describes them as showing outward hypocracy - "mirth is... outside" Frequently compared to the Devil Ferdinand: Public role Totally against marriage - Shades of incestuous tendancies - Describes sister as "Lustful whore" Cardinal: Behind the scenes - Employs aid of spies Agrees with marriage, only if the families status is maintained Duchess: Strong / Passionate / Courageous / Sensual / Independant / Ambitious Threatens society - "In temperament she is a heroine of Shakespeares Romantic Comedies" Modern context - James had his Cousin imprisoned for marrying beneath herself Representation of new, less conventional concepts being explored - Given the status
Examine the ways in which the political and familial contexts and relationships are established in Act I of "The Duchess of Malfi"
Examine the ways in which the political and familial contexts and relationships are established in Act I of the play. The politics of the Italian Court in the play are revealed to the audience as corrupt and unethical, also exposing the state of the English Court in this period. Webster could not have written about it directly and so it is shown through the setting in Malfi. This corruption is mainly embodied by Ferdinand and the Cardinal, who are the most politically powerful characters in the play. Their power in the Court is reflected in their familial relationships with the Duchess. The venality of the Court in Malfi is first suggested by Antonio who describes the general make-up of politics in any region using the analogy of a fountain, 'whence should flow pure silver drops' but can be poisoned at the top thereby, 'death and diseases through the whole land spread.' As it seems to have done in Malfi, as the two most powerful figures are so moraless. Antonio is also describing the effectiveness and purity of the French Court in this dialogue, which emphasises the corruption in Italy. Bosola who himself is seemingly amoral, being introduced to the audience by Antonio as the 'court-gall', directly refers to Ferdinand and his brother, the Cardinal likening them to 'plum trees that grow crooked'. He suggests that too much power and riches has made them so, but also
How effective is "The Duchess of Malfi" as a Jacobean Revenge Tragedy?
How effective is "The Duchess of Malfi" as a Jacobean Revenge Tragedy? "The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster holds the typical stereotype of a Jacobean Revenge Tragedy. A 'typical' Jacobean Revenge Tragedy contains conventions: - the play should be set into five acts as laid down by Seneca in his original rules of tragedy. There should obviously be a desire for revenge hence the term "revenge tragedy." There should be murders within a Jacobean revenge tragedy. The narrative should involve complex plotting. The story should centre on characters of noble birth. There should be Italianate or Southern European settings. The narrative should incorporate ghosts, skulls and madness. Lust should be a strong motivation. The plot should involve physical horrors, such as poisoning and torture. Order should be restored at the end of the play. All of the conventions set out by Seneca are relevant to the Duchess of Malfi. The "Duchess of Malfi" is set out into five acts. The narrative should be complex and it should involve complicated plotting. In "The Duchess of Malfi" the patterns of revenge often cross each other. The Aragon brothers, the Duke Ferdinand and the Cardinal move early in the play into a spirit of revenge against their sister for not following her duties of a young widow. Bosola wants to avenge himself against the Cardinal and Ferdinand for "neglect"