John Websters Play The Duchess of Malfi Essay example

John Websters Play The Duchess of Malfi In the opening of The Duchess of Malfi takes place between Delio and Antonio, a steward of the Duchess and his friend. Webster makes his audience aware that Antonio has journeyed outside Malfi, to France. The words France, Frenchman, French all appear within the first four lines of the text, a blunt indicator to ensure that the audience, however inattentive, grasps the point that Antonio has been absent from Malfi. He supports this point by referring to the timespan since Antonio last saw Delio, You have been long in France. The word long suggests that a considerable time has passed since he was last resident in Malfi. Equally, Delios description of Antonio, as a very formal†¦show more content†¦Antonio then goes on to mention that flattering sycophants were banished from the court. Thus, between the wisdom of the king, and the lack of falsities in France, a government has been created where justice flowed from a common fountain. Webster uses the metaphorical image of a common fountain for two reasons. Webster wishes to note to the audience that the French court is common, not in the sense that it fails in the traditional hierarchy of power, but rather that justice in France is common. Justice is handed down through silver drops to every subject of the relm no matter their rank. Equally, common as the adjective to the font (representation of justice) suggests that it is not extraordinary for justice to be offered to the people of France, rather that it is a common occurrence. The description of the French court by Antonio gives way to a less positive account of the mores in the duchy of Malfi. The rhyming couplet below explains that it is vital for a country to have fair noble leaders, else the badness would filter down and infect the whole being: Some cursd example poisont near the head Death and diseases through the whole land spread Without just and wise leaders, poisen, death (and) disease shall corrupt and infest the state of Malfi. The words poisen, death and disease all offer negative connotations, and the audience is thus trebly assured of the fate thatShow MoreRelatedThe Duchess Of Malfi And William Shakespeare s A Midsummer Night s Dream1035 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi and William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream women react to authority in significantly different ways. The authors focus both on women showing acceptance to power and women who shy away from it. In the plays, the Duchess and Hermia defy the abuse of power, while Helena and Cariola submit to it. 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In one instance Ferdinand threatens the Duchess with theirRead MoreDuchess Of Malf Open Learn10864 Words   |  44 Pagesï » ¿John Webster, The Duchess of Malfi Introduction 3 Learning outcomes 3 Background 3 Description 4 Act 1: setting the scene 5 Courts ideal and real 5 Discussion 5 Description 8 Bosola the malcontent 8 Discussion 9 Marriage for love: family opposition 10 Discussion 10 Love and marriage: Antonio the steward 13 Discussion 14 Love and marriage: the Duchess 15 Description 16 Description 17 Discussion 19 Act 2: discovery 21 Ferdinand 21 Discussion 22 Conclusion 24 References 24 Further reading 25 NextRead MoreEssay on The Duchess As a Very Remarkable Woman in a Mans World2506 Words   |  11 PagesThe Duchess As a Very Remarkable Woman in a Mans World The Duchess is clearly the central figure in the play and manages to dominate proceedings, despite the untouchable power of her brothers and the firmly established patriarchal system in early-16th century Italy. 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