Duchess Context Flashcards
What era was this play written in?
Jacobean Era (17th Century) (few years before Shakespeare’s death in 1614)
Is this play based on a true story? If yes, how?
Real Duchess (Giovanna d’Aragona) marries Antonio Beccadelli in secret, and bore three children with him (who later is murdered by her brothers)
How is the play deviated from the true story?
- Antonio dies a few years later after the Duchess
- Bosola’s repentance and betrayal (of the brothers) is fictionalised
Convey some of the tragedy play elements involved in this play.
Central protagonist (normally from elevated social status) makes wrong decision, leading to their inevitable downfall.
In revenge tragedy plays, why should justice not been taken in people’s own hands?
God can only decide when to end life. If justice is taken by own hands, this escalates the severity of situations and leads to characters’ downfalls (people are disrupting the Great Chain of Beings)
What other revenge tragedy elements appear in the play?
- Cardinal’s Machiavellian traits and corrupt nature (e.g., Julia)
- Everyone dies at the end of the play and are affected by the Duchess’ death
- ‘Malcontent’
Why were 17th Century women expected to be subordinate to men? (Link to religion)
Roots from the Bible ~ Eve dishonoured God first
What were the traditional 17th century virtues in women?
- Modesty, chastity, obedience, compliant/inferior to men
- (Those who did not display these traits were seen as a threat to the social fabric + often punished)
How was 17th Century society obsessed with death?
- Public executions were commonly attended
- Different methods of torture used to ensure victim suffer for a long time
How did people view women who were old, widowed, have irritable personalities suspicious?
17th Century society suspected them of witchcraft
What is stoicism?
Endurance of pain and hardship without complain or expression of emotions.
