Act 3 Scene 1 Flashcards
On fretags pyramid, where in the play are we?
Climax
How is the passing of time shown at the beginning of Act 3
Antonio to Delio
‘You have been a stranger long at court’
‘Since you last saw her/ She hath had two children more, a son and daughter’
How do people now view the duchess according to Antonio
‘She is a strumpet’
—> but don’t suspect marriage with him
What concerns does the duchess express to Ferdinand and how is she lying to him
‘Scandalous report is spread touching mine honour’
‘I will marry for your honour’
How does Ferdinand privately view the duchess and what plan does he do
He asks Bosola to spy
Gets bedroom key
‘Bedchambers’
What is bosolas role as a spy
Source of corruption
2
How is the theme of marriage explored here
Consider relationship between Antonio and duchess and role of Cariola
Cariola is like family and they all joke around ‘lie with my lady’
Antonio ‘oh Fir upon this single life!’
Antonio ‘labouring men count the…offenist’
Note the ambiguity of duchess words while she is speaking to Antonio as he hides
What is the effect of having Ferdinand’s reflection in the mirror
Could the words apply to him
Ferdinand - anger, calm -> unpredictable
Duchess ‘you have cause to love me’
She’s speaking to Antonio and then sees Ferdinand in the mirror —> visual illusion - Dance of Death —> where the figure of death arrests men and women of various ages and ranks including youthful queens and duchesses
‘Love mixed with fear is sweetest’
How should Ferdinand catching duchess talking about love be staged
Ferdinand - louder voice and is hysteric and duchess is more soft and calm
~Webster intends Ferdinand seen crossing the upper stage before descending out of sight and making entrance before main stage
Ferdinand’s accusation after catching duchess
‘Do not speak’
‘I will see thee no more’
—> enjoys sex, witchcraft, undone, never see again
‘Reputation lover and death’
Duchess replies to Ferdinand’s accusations
‘Why should I…be seized up like a holy relic’
Duchess is defiant
Ferdinand is unwell
Analyse imagery used by Ferdinand in his monologue
Wolf
Dog
Pen
Parquito
Animal imagery
Foreshadow
How does Act 3 scene 1 prepare us for the dramatic action in Act scene 2
Delio - ‘hath not this need arrived yet to the ear’
Antonio - ‘I fear it has’
Rumours and corruption
How do debates raised in scene 2 show wider concerns of the play
A03
Value of women and women power
Ferdinand in control of female sexuality
Is he too paranoid?
Duchess ‘Do I not grow fat’ ‘colour of mine hair’ - women’s intelligence
‘Poinard’ -> aggressive expected behaviour of men
Marriage - different views
Lower class marry for love, upper class marry for status
