AO5: Duchess of Malfi

Question 1

Cornelius a Lapide (17th century critic) WOMEN: DOM

Answer 1

“Women are a perfect ornament of men”

Question 2

T.S. Elliot DEATH: DOM

Answer 2

“Webster was much possessed by death”

Question 3

Martha Lifson (cocky Duchess)

Answer 3

certain of her own value

Question 4

RSC 2018 (Bosola vs corruption)

Answer 4

Ferdinand forces money into Bosola’s hands

Question 5

RSC 2018 (cardinals corruption)

Answer 5

Cardinal rapes Julia on the same bed that Antonio and Duchess marry

Question 6

James Shapiro (liberal Jacobeans owned epic-style)

Answer 6

capturing the dark excesses of the Jacobean moment

Question 7

Martha Lifson (Bosola’s change)

Answer 7

The torturer becomes the figure of maternal mercy

Question 8

Martha Lifson (bad Duchess)

Answer 8

self-deceived and vain

Question 9

RSC 2018 (morbid stagecraft)

Answer 9

Corpses just left on stage

Question 10

Emma Smith (Duchess)

Answer 10

a varied and ambiguous heroine

Question 11

Martha Lifson (Duchess vs patriarchy)

Answer 11

rejects the contaminated public life represented by her brothers

Question 12

Martha Lifson (Ferdinand)

Answer 12

committed to destroying

Question 13

Clifford Leech (Julia)

Answer 13

rank whore

Question 14

RSC 2018 (Gym setting)

Answer 14

Toxic masculinity environment full of buff blokes

Question 15

RSC 2018 (Duchess is strong)

Answer 15

Hauls a dead bull carcass across the stage (wrestling with death)

Question 16

Dypmna Callaghan (female desire has)

Answer 16

the capacity to undermine, and ultimately transform, the fabric of the state

Question 17

Peter Morrison (JW proto-feminist)

Answer 17

Webster’s revolutionary stance

Question 18

Bradbrooke (self-aware Cardinal)

Answer 18

Cardinal knows already he is going to hell