Duchess 3:4

Question 1

‘I have not seen a goodlier…’

Answer 1

‘I have not seen a goodlier shrine than this,/ Yet I have visited many.’ - 1 Pilgrim
- indirect narration
- just religious people, the common voice (no political motives so honest)

Question 2

the effect of the dumbshow

Answer 2

• allows us to see it from an outsiders’ perspective
• gives the audience a break from the tense dialogue
• by rendering the Duchess speechless she cannot defend her case, her agency is removed (‘the Duchess has now become and remains a victim’ - Kathleen McLuskie)

Question 3

‘Here the ceremony of the Cardinal’s instalment…’

Answer 3

‘Here the ceremony of the Cardinal’s instalment in the habit of a soldier, performed in delivering up his cross, hat, robes and ring at the shrine, and investing him with sword, helmed, shield and spurs.’ - SD
- shows that the Cardinal is not in complete control
- deliberate criticism of the Catholic Church and the irony of religious soldiers (thou shalt not kill)
- makes him more masculine and more threatening

Question 4

‘Then Antonio, the Duchess and their children, having presented…’

Answer 4

‘Then Antonio, the Duchess and their children, having presented themselves at the shrine, are by a form of banishment in dumbshow expressed towards them by the Cardinal [who takes a ring from the Duchess’ finger]’ - SD
- rejecting her autonomy
- given to him to help his eye, he also won a ring

Question 5

‘the Duchess has become…’

Answer 5

‘the Duchess has become and remains a victim’ - Kathleen McLuskie

Question 6

‘Here’s a strange turn of…’

Answer 6

‘Here’s a strange turn of state. Who would have thought/ So great a lady would have matched herself/ Unto so mean a person? Yet the Cardinal/ Bears himself much too cruel.’ - 1 Pilgrim
- balanced view, passing comment

Question 7

‘They are…’
‘But I would ask what power…’

Answer 7

‘They are banished.’ - 2 Pilgrim
‘But I would ask what power hath this state/ Of Ancona to determine of a free prince?’ - 1 Pilgrim
- asking and answering the questions of the audience

Question 8

‘They are a free…’

Answer 8

‘They are a free state, sir, and her brother showed/ How that the Pope, forehearing of her looseness,/ Hath seized into the protection of the church/ The dukedom, which she held as dowager.’ - 2 Pilgrim
- taken away her dukedom, who is she without her status?
- both the Cardinal and the Duchess have lost their status’ but use the names

Question 9

‘But by what…’
‘Sure, I think by…’

Answer 9

‘But by what justice?’ - 1 Pilgrim
‘Sure, I think by none -/ Only by her brother’s instigation.’ - 2 Pilgrim
- Webster doesn’t want us to see the banishment as inevitable or proportional

Question 10

‘Alas, Antonio!/ If that a man be thrust…’

Answer 10

‘Alas, Antonio!/ If that a man be thrust into a well,/ […] hiw own weight/ Will bring him sooner to th’bottom.’ - 1 Pilgrim
- fatalistic, if you fall you will fall to the bottom

Question 11

'’All things do help…’

Answer 11

'’All things do help th’unhappy man to fall.’’ - 1 Pilgrim