Act 1, Scene 1 Flashcards
Opening points
Opens with clear social criticism of the Italian court, Antonio’s praise of the French court.
Distance from England allows criticism, veiled dialogue.
Antonio and Delio- choric voices, Greek theatre they provide the exposition and updates.
Aristotle’s idea of the noble ruler,
Antonio- “I admire it: In seeking to reduce both state and people To a fixed order.”
Starts with justice, Chain of being is admirable, Contrasts James I’s court (unjust), makes reference to divine right through “Master’s masterpiece”.
Antonio- “Is like a common fountain, whence should flow”
“Some cursed example poison’t near the head, Death and disease through the whole land spread.”
Symbolism- community.
Extended simile for his analogy.
Implied criticism, ironic, his court is infected.
Free speech allowed in this court.
Antonio about Bosola - “The only court gall”
Archetypal malcontent- Bosola is a stock character.
Imagery of gallbladder- bile- bile is bitter, he has nothing, no status.
Bosola about the Cardinal- “I do haunt you still”
Contrast in status, he has knowledge of the Cardinal = power.
Bosola- “blackbirds fatten best in hard winter, why not I, in these dog days.”
Animal metaphor/ analogy- his own situation is equated to winter, drive determination. Protection.
Ironic- Bosola is honest.
Bosola- “but this great fellow were able to possess the greatest devil and make him worse.”
Masculine face off, implied criticism, so corrupt that he could corrupt the devil himself.
B “He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over.”
Figurative language- filthy, stagnant, corrupt- implied criticism of upper classes.
B “crows, pies and caterpillars feed on them.”
Scavengers, sycophants, corrupt Italian court.
B “for places in the court are but like beds in the hospital, where this man’s head lies at that man’s foot, and so lower and lower”
Positional imagery depicts the injustice and corruption of the courts, physicality. Literal imagery of squashing people down.
Castruchio- “It is fitting a soldier arise to be a prince, but not necessary a prince descend to be a captain.”
Metaphorically castrated, cheated on.
Positional language highlights the rigid class structure, references moving in between classes.
Antonio- “black malcontents… Like moths in cloths”
Self-fulfilling prophecy- element of pity/ sympathy.
Ferdinand first impressions.
Argumentative, flippant, implodes sexist banter about Julia.
F- “yet her persuasions would make them put up.”
Hypersexual women, objectification of a sexual being.
Phallic imagery.
F- “I give fire, that is, laugh when I laugh, were the subject never so witty.”
Stock Machiavellian character- calls order, unhinged and unpredictable.
Delio about the Cardinal “Will pay his five thousand crowns at tennis, dance, Court ladies.”
Should be wedded to the Church- anti-catholic sentiment and a criticism.
