Some Points and Key Quotes to Consider in "The Duchess of Malfi" Act 1

“The Duchess of Malfi” Some Points and Key Quotes to Consider in Act 1

Society

The Duchess Of Malfi married below her rank with Antonio, who is a clever man and servant but not an aristocrat. A04- Jacobean England was ruled by your position in society and people married within their own rank.

A01 Terminology:  "A princes court  Is like a common fountain, whence should flow Pure silver drops in general; but if't chance Some cursed example poison 't near the head, Death, and diseased through the whole land spread" Antonio, Act 1 Scene 1

A01 Terminology: "places in the court are but like beds in a hospital, where this man's head lies at that man's foot, and so lower, and lower" Bosola Act 1 Scene 1

Consider a remark to the Duke Ferdinand, about fighting his own battle: "It is fitting a soldier arise to be a prince, but not necessary a prince descend to be a captain" Castruccio Act 1 Scene 1 - underpins how the wrongdoing against society is in the hands of The Duchess, rather than Antonio.

A01 Terminology about Ferdinand's manipulating of the law: "Then the law to him is like a foul black cobweb to a spider: he makes it his dwelling, and a prison to entangle those shall feed him" Delio Act 1 Scene 1 

"She's a young widow, I would not have her marry again", Ferdinand Act 1 Scene 1

"Place and riches are oft bribes of shame", Bosola Act 1 Scene 1

"Some weddings may more properly be said to be executed, than celebrated",  Ferdinand Act 1 Scene 1

"My father's poniard... I'd be loath to see it look rusty 'cause twas his", Ferdinand Act 1 Scene 1

"Trade in poison", Cariola Act 1 Scene 1 on protecting her secret  

Women

Women are represented differently throughout the play, but not as equals, in keeping with the context of the time (A04). Biggest clue towards the attitudes towards women is that The Duchess is not identified by name, but by title. 

In Act 1 Scene 1 Castruccio talks about how his wife cannot be in company of someone for fear of him filling "her too full of the wrinkle" portraying her to be vain.

"What cannot a neat knave with a smooth tale make a woman believe?" Ferdinand to the Duchess, making her appear naïve and weak willed, Act 1 Scene 1

Religion

Religion was a topical subject of the Jacobean era, and “The Duchess of Malfi” is very political in this sense. The feud between the Catholic church and Church of England at the time the text was written saw the Catholic church being presented in a corrupt way, with the character of The Cardinal representative of the Catholic faith. 

"Melancholy churchman"

"He should have been Pope; but instead of coming to it by the primitive decency of the church, he did bestow bribes so largely, and so impudently, as if he would have carried it away without heavens knowledge", Antonio Act 1 Scene 1

"The devil speaks in them" Antonio about the Cardinal's words 

Incestuous

There is a suggested incestuous desire, by Ferdinand, for his sister, The Duchess. This is one of the reasons suggested as a motive towards his revenge against the Duchess and Antonio, he is jealous. 

A clue to this is when Antonio describes Ferdinand as "a most perverse" in Act 1 Scene 1

Sex/Infidelity/Seduction

Antonio about the Duchess "She throws upon a man so sweet a look", In Act 1 Scene 1

A01 Terminology: "Diamonds are of most value, they say, that have passed through most jeweller’s hands" Duchess Act 1 Scene 1 on marriage

"Lusty widow" Ferdinand to Duchess, Act 1 Scene 1

"I winked and chose a husband," Duchess Act 1 Scene 1

Light and Dark

"She stains the past, lights the time to come." Antonio about the Duchess Act 1 Scene 1

"Your darkest actions...your privat'st thoughts will come to light", Ferdinand Act 1 Scene 1

"Privately be married under the eaves of night," Cardinal Act 1 Scene 1

Death 

"Whose throat must I cut?" Bosola Act 1 Scene 1