Duchess 3:5 Flashcards
‘Is all our train…’
‘Is all our train/ Shrunk to this poor remainder?’ - Duchess
- emphasising their fall and new lack of luxury
‘These poor men,/ Which have got little…’
‘These poor men,/ Which have got little in your service, vow/ To take your fortune, but your wiser buntings,/ Now they are fledged, are gone.’ - Antonio
- the men left helping them have little to gain but stay and suffer with her
- the ‘wiser’ servants however have gone/abandoned the Duchess
‘This puts me in mind…’
‘This puts me in mind of death.’ - Duchess
‘Right the fashion of…’
‘Right the fashion of the world:/ From decayed fortnes, every flatterer shrinks:/ Men cease to build where the foundation sinks.’ - Antonio
- flatterers abandon when someone can no longer benefit them
- critical of the court, reminiscent of Bosola
‘Methought I wore my coronet…’
‘Methought I wore my coronet of state/ And on a sudden all the diamonds/ Were changed to pearls.’ - Duchess
- recounting a ‘very strange dream’ she had
- symbolising the loss of rank and status
- a ‘coronet’ is a crown-like ornament
‘My interpretation/ Is you’ll…’
‘My interpretation/ Is you’ll weep shortly, for to me the pearls/ Do signify your tears.’ - Antonio
‘The birds that live i’th’field…’
‘The birds that live i’th’field/ […] live/ Happier than we, for they may choose their mates’ - Duchess
- emphasises her lack of freedom
‘Thou dost blanch mischief…’
‘Thou dost blanch mischief;/ Wouldst make it white. See, see! Like to calm weather/ At sea before a tempest, false hearts speak fair/ To those they intend most mischief.’ - Duchess to Bosola when he says he has a letter from Ferdinand (and speaks positively about him/it)
- hiding true intentions, misleading
‘[Reads] ‘Send Antonio to…’
‘[Reads] ‘Send Antonio to me. I want his head in business.’/ A politic equivocation!/ He doth not want your counsel, but your head’ - Duchess (reading Ferdinand’s letter)
- multiple meanings
‘He doth not want your…’
‘He doth not want your counsel, but your head -/ That is, he cannot sleep till you be dead.’ - Duchess (about Ferdinand)
‘[Reads] ‘I stand engaged for your…’
‘[Reads] ‘I stand engaged for your husband for several debts at Naples. Let not that trouble him. I had rather have his heart than his money.’/ - And I believe so, too!’ - Duchess
- Ferdinand uses the Duchess’ lie
- ‘rather his heart’ - rather have Antonio’s love than payment (OR wants his heart AKA him dead)
‘That he so much distrusts…’
‘That he so much distrusts my husbands love,/ He will by no means believe his heart is with him/ Until he sees it.’ - Duchess
- Ferdinand won’t trust Antonio’s loyalty to him until he has physically seen his heart (again alt. meaning of Antonio being dead)
‘Will you reject that noble…’
‘Will you reject that noble and free league/ OF amity and love which I present you?’ - Bosola
- clearly suggesting that Ferdinand’s letter is positive, trying to manipulate the Duchess into sending Antonio to him
‘Their league is like that of some…’
‘Their league is like that of some politic kings -/ Only to make themselves of strength and power/ To be our after-ruin.’ - Duchess
‘Thus, tell him - I…’
Thus, tell him - I will not come.’ - Antonio
‘And what of this…’
‘And what of this? [Gestures to the letter]’ - Bosola
- surprise that the Duchess doesn’t believe Ferdinand’s letter
‘My brothers have dispersed…’
‘My brothers have dispersed/ Bloodhounds abroad, which, till I hear are muzzled […] I’ll not come at them.’ - Antonio
- the Duchess and Antonio are being hunted
‘This proclaims your breeding…’
‘This proclaims your breeding!/ Every small thing draws a base mind to fear’ - Bosola
- quick change from 3:2 where he praised Antonio, clearly all fake
- frustrating at the Duchess and Antonio’s rejection
‘Let us not venture all…’
‘Let us not venture all this poor remainder/ In one unlucky bottom.’ - Duchess
- not travel in one group so the don’t all sink
‘Best of my life…’
‘Best of my life, farewell. Since we must part,/ Heaven hath a hand in’t’ - Antonio
‘I know not which is…’
‘I know not which is best -/ To see you dead or part with you.’ - Duchess