Duchess of Malfi: Context Flashcards
Backdrop of Duchess of Malfi
- Early 17th century
- Jacobean era
- Set in Italy
- Revenge tragedy
What is a malcontent?
A character who is often discontent with the social structure and other characters in the play (e.g Bosola, Satan)
What is a machiavellian + where does the idea come from?
A method of being cunning, scheming and unscrupulous - especially in politics
- Derives from 15th Century political philosopher Niccolo Machievelli
What year was The Duchess of Malfi written?
1612-1613
Why is the Duchess of Malfi based in Italy?
- For English theatergoers of Webster’s time, Italy represented corruption and deception. Therefore, was a safer setting than England for describing the immoral actions of the aristocracy
- Anti-catholic sentiment
What were the views about catholicism within Italy in
Who is the character of the Duchess based on?
Giovanna d’Aragona, Duchess of Amalfi
Who is a malcontent in the play?
Bosola; he is malcontent - unhappy, unsettled and displeased with the way of the world
What does the malcontent often show?
A variable level of morality - their morality will change over the course of the play
Where does the term ‘Machiavellian’ come from?
Italian renaissance diplomat Niccolo Machiavelli, who wrote ‘the Prince’
How were catholics viewed in the Jacobean era?
Considered traitors: linked to the gunpowder plot, inability to ‘trust face’ as Catholics would practice in private
How was the class structure in Jacobean England?
incredibly rigid; it was very rare for anyone to marry outside of the class they were born into
Where was the play first performed?
In Blackfriars, more intimate and frequented by the intellectuals - allowed for more sneaking and subtle lighting
Who was the king when the play was written?
King James I
What was King James’ court like in reality?
James’s court was infamous for its profligacy and corruption. He himself showered his favourites with money, offices and privileges
What was the ownership of married women like in the early 17th century?
Married women moved from a position of legal subservience to her father to being legally subject to her husband
How did widows possess a degree of independence?
Could claim the independence to decide her second husband herself, rather than marrying in accordance with her family’s wishes
What is lycanthropy?
- A human with the ability to shape shift into a wolf (either purposely or after being placed under a curse/affliction)
- The transformation was supposedly accomplished by a satanic allegiance
- Symbolizes mans duality, as conflict between body and soul
- Links to second stage of tragedy in Renaissance times (as passions seen as animalistic rather than intrinsic) MIGHT CHANGE
John Knox’s (16th) ideas against ‘the monstrous regiment of women’
- Labelled female rulers as “unnatural”
- Incongruous for a woman to rule a state while being ruled by her husband
- rule by women is contrary to the Bible
(EXAMPLE: Queen Elizabeth I, who never married)
What is ‘The Lord of Misrule’?
A peasant or sub-deacon appointed to be in charge of Christmas revelries (unusual moment that breaks traditional hierarchical ideas).
Thomas Overbury ‘New and Choice Characters’ (1615) view on virtuous widows:
‘She is like the ________ gold, only employed for Princes’ _______, she never receives but one man’s _________’
‘She is like the purest gold, only employed for Princes’ medals, she never receives but one man’s impression’
What is neostoicism (late 16th-17th century)?
- Became popular in Europe
- Practical philosophy: basic rule of life is that humans should not yield to the passions, but submit to God
- Four passions: greed, joy, fear and sorrow
- Everything that happens (even if it’s wrong) is under control of God so tends to the good
What is stoicism?
- Ancient Greek philosophy
- the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint
Quote from Queen Elizabeth I Speech to the Troops at Tilbury (1588)
‘I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king’
Quotes from ‘The Prince’ by Niccolo Machiavelli
‘It is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both’
‘Never attempt to win by force what can be won with deception’
‘There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious’
Ideas about secret marriage in ‘Of Whoredoms Committed Under the Colour of Marriage’ by Thomas Beard (1597)
- A secret marriage can be nothing but plain whoredom and fornication
- Secret marriage was illegal + the Duchess was an adulterer who deserved her punishment
- She was a princess and he her servant (status/class)
Who was George Villiers and how is he significant?
A courtier in King James’s court who was considered a particular favourite and likely lover of the king, and promoted into positions of great power.
What is the meaning of Ars Moriendi?
Latin texts dating (1415 - 1450)
- ‘Art of Death’ Offers advice on the protocols/procedures of a good death.
Who was Rodrigo Borgia and how does he relate to the Cardinal?
- Head of the catholic church (1492-1503) + ruler of the Papal state (central Italy)
- villainous tendencies e.g violated celibacy vows, engaged in nepotism/bribery
Who was Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots) and what was the significance of her death?
- catholic cousin of Elizabeth (+potential heir to the throne)
- She was executed and her stoical approach to death made her a Catholic martyr around Europe
What is the great chain of being?
17th century:
A hierarchical structure of all matter and life (thought by medieval Christianity) to have been decreed by God
(God, Angelic beings, humanity, animals, plants, minerals)
pathos ethos and logos
Who wrote ‘Of Whoredoms Committed Under the Colour of Marriage’ and when?
Thomas Beard (1597)
Who wrote ‘the monstrous regiment of women’ and when?
John Knox (1558)
What is ‘The Prince’ about?
- A political treatise
- States that rulers should strive to maintain/expand their position, even if immoral acts are necessary
Who published ‘Daemonologie’ and when?
King James I (1597)
What was ‘Daemonologie’ about and how does this relate to Ferdinand?
- a study of demonology and the methods demons used to bother troubled men
- Declares lycanthropy a mental disease caused by excess melancholy
What is the importance of the Duchess’ bed chamber setting?
- A private place, that is soon invaded by Ferdinand
- Suggests that this is where her public and private life officially become intertwined
What is the importance of the Duchess + Antonio being rejected from Lady of Loreto (+ how does this link to PL)?
