Act 1 Scnee 1 Part 2

Question 1

How Duchess seduces, proposes and weds Antonio

Cariolas role

Answer 1

I’ll conceal this secret from the world

Best friend

[Cariola comes from behind the areas]- good friend, trust

Question 2

How Duchess seduces, proposes and weds Antonio

How António acts when ‘alone’ with Duchess

Answer 2

‘Beauteous’ - flirting

Question 3

How Duchess seduces, proposes and weds Antonio

Antonio’s reactions to her actions

Answer 3

‘Ambition, madam is a great man’s madness’

‘Oh my unworthiness’

Question 4

How Duchess seduces, proposes and weds Antonio

How the Duchess persuades Antonio that she loves him

Answer 4

‘The misery of us that are born great, we are forced to woo because none dare woo us’

‘Claims you for her husband’

Question 5

How Duchess seduces, proposes and weds Antonio

How Antonio’s attitude changes when he realises her intentions

Answer 5

That we may imitate the living palms, best emblem of a peaceful marriage,

Question 6

How the scene and act ends

Answer 6

Cariola ‘a fearful madness. I owe her much of pity’

Question 7

Renaissance motif

Answer 7

Antonio’s opening speech

Renaissance - period of European history between 14-17 century where great advances achieved in science, technology, philosophy, literature and architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome

In doing so, he sets up a model of good governance through the description of the French court - suggesting by contrast that there is courtly corruption ‘death and disease through the whole land spread’

Question 8

Imagery contrast

Answer 8

Cardinal and Ferdinand ‘standing pools’

Different to Antonio image of free flowing fountain

Oppressive atmosphere

Question 9

What was Webster’s main source for TDOM

Answer 9

William Painters ‘the palace of pleasure’

In keeping with this text, Antonio is a skilled soldier who has earlier triumphed in a jousting competition

Question 10

How Webster uses Antonio and partially Delio

Answer 10

Unflattering character studies of Bosola, the Cardinal and Ferdinand

Question 11

Does Bosola fit Antonio’s views

Answer 11

Confirms to dramatic stereotype of the malcontent: bitter, disaffected and railing at courtly corruption largely on account of his own failure to achieve worldly success

Question 12

Does Ferdinand and Cardinal meet Antonio description

Answer 12

Yes - F- violative and unpredictable - C is more circumspect in his political manipulations, thus representing another theatrical stereotype of revenge tragedy drama, the Machiavellian

F- ‘lusty widow’
C- ‘honour’ ‘wisdom’

Question 13

Does Bosola come across as a villain

Answer 13

Initially he rejects gold offered by Ferdinand - saying he is unprepared to risk his soul to become an ‘intelligencer’ (spy)

but he accepts the corrupt employment when he learns of the post as Provisor of the Horse that Ferdinand has secured for him in the Duchess’ household

It would therefore seem that social status, rather than money is Bosolas main motivation. In this way, Webster uses Bosola to make a powerful comment about the corrupting influence of a society that fails to provide honest opportunities for ambition and talent

Question 14

Climax of scene

Answer 14

Duchess wooing of Antonio

‘The misery of us who are born great’

Powerful and moving, Webster creates a refreshing delicacy here, which starkly contrasts with the blatant menace and tension of the earlier conversation between the Duchess and her 2 brothers

Question 15

Gender roles

Answer 15

Webster shows a deftness and subtlety when conveying Antonio’s surprise and the Duchess’ initial tentativeness as she reverses her conventional gender roles

But s breath taking momentum is maintained owing to the speed at which the Duchess guides Antonio through the stages of wooing and bedding

Question 16

Duchess and Antonio sex comparison

Answer 16

Stark comparison of attitudes to sex of her 2 brothers as revealed later in play.

The cardinal gloating participation in the cuckoldry of Julia’s husband, Castruchio and Ferdinand’s unhealthy obsessive desire with his sister’s body

In particular, the gentle sexual intimation used by the Duchess, “Lay a naked sword between us, keep us chase”

In comparison to

“What cannot a neave knave with a smooth tale/ Make a woman believe”

Question 17

Critical views of act 1

Answer 17

Feminist critique might consider Cardinals warning to Duchess that
The marriage night/ is entrance into some prison’ as not just dramatic foreshadowing but a realistic appraisal of a woman’s lack of rights during this period

‘It is essentially a feminist play about a woman who is fighting for her autonomy’ - Mirren 1981 interviews having played duchess in 1980 Manchester

Question 18

Cariola last words

Answer 18

Fearful madness in her

Question 19

Antonio on brothers and duchess reply

Answer 19

But for your brothers

Do not think on them