Duchess of Malfi Flashcards
Sue Hemming, Marital Status
“the honourable name of the family has to be maintained by marriage into a family of similar social standing”
“such as the plight of single girls in families of high social standing in early modern England”
The Duchess’ “may not be conveitonal and its legality may be questionable, but it is a truer marriage than the faithless Julia’s- her love is more innocent and pure than the lascivious desires of the Cardinal”
Sue Hemming, The Duchess
The Duchess has a “widow’s independence and power”
“She is wealthy and socially superior, the Duchess cannot expect Antonio to court her”
Sue Hemming, The Arragonian Brothers
“The Cardinal is anxious that she might marry a social inferior, but Ferdinand wants to prevent any marriage”
Michael Cordner, The Tragedy of Service
Antonio likes the Duchess “for the rectitude and probity which distinguish her” [from her brothers]
“[Bosola is] willing to do anything for men of ruthless amirality”
Lisa Jardine, Strong Women
“Duchess of Malfi only existed on the early modern stage to act as a terrible warning to their society: the ‘strong’ woman must be systematically taught the error of her ways”
