Act 4 Scene 1

Question 1

Fretag

Answer 1

Falling action

Question 2

What is duchess attitude towards her imprisonment

Do we expect this reaction from her

Answer 2

‘I am Duchess of Malfi still.’

Noble

Welcomes end

Yes

Question 3

Setting

Explore the significance of Cariola accompanying the Duchess and the night time setting

Answer 3

Cariola accompanies - close BUT she’s not strong enough

Cariola is killed so story not spread

Question 4

Imagery

How are animal imagery and the concepts of light and dark used

Answer 4

‘I’ll never see you more’ - Ferdinand

‘This darkness suits you’ - Ferdinand - reflects evil sin

‘You were too much in the light’

Ferdinand calls children animals - dehumanise so he can kill ‘cubs’

Question 5

Sharing lines

Answer 5

Duchess and Ferdinand share line

‘I would ask pardon’ ‘you have it’

Reinforces how close they are and why later he feels bad - adding emphasis to tragedy

Question 6

Theatrical devices

What are purposes of ‘dead’ hand and the ‘artificial dead bodies’

Answer 6

Physical corruption

Cruel

‘I affectionately kiss it’ - gruesome

Duchess care for Ferdinand ‘are you not well?’

Ferdinand - harsh - mental instability

Question 7

Action

What is the Duchess’ attitude towards her impending fate

Answer 7

Temporarily gives into despair - wants to die with family

‘Tedious theatre’

Question 8

Themes

How do Ferdinands speeches further our understanding of his desire for revenge

Answer 8

Status - she is not worthy of carrying it

Wants torment

Bosola - guilt

Question 9

Bosola feeling

Answer 9

Never in mine own shape

When you send me next/ The business shall be comfort