ideas - by ingram Flashcards
what is the duchess’s pregnancy presented as
a disease or sickness
what does the phallic image of ‘this is my poniard’ suggest
phallic imagery expresses ferdinands desire/incestuous feelings for his sister
or patriarchal power (handed down from his father)
what does the poison bible represent
symbol of his abuse of power - how he uses religion as an instrument to inflict harm on others
what is different between the original plot (by william painter) and websters version
doesnt conform to misogynistic ideas of the duchess (idea that she married to “glut her own libidinous appetite”)
who inspired the duchess of malfi
seneca
what was the italian court associated with at this time
corruption and vice
who was italy home to
the pope
what could the cardinal reflect
his corrupt and malevolent character could reflect the anti-catholic sentiments of the time
what did the italian setting allow webster to do
attack his own government/monarchy without fear of prosecution
what do the plays have in common (women)
female protagonists who are victims of male oppression and abuse
what does the cardinal do that shows gender double standards
declares all women are unfaithful whilst having an affair with julia
what does bosola do showing gender based double standards
mocks women for “painting” their face and therefore being deceitful
- then insists he wears a mask before murdering the duchess “not in mine own shape”
how does the duchess’ marriage disrupt social norms
sacrilegious element - violates great chain of being
what idea on women suggests both playwrights are reinforcing misogynistic attitudes
non-conformist and disruptive women whose actions lead directly to tragedy
what does the quote “why should only i of all the other princes of the world be cased up like a holy relic” show
asking why women are granted less freedom then men
what is a famous example of duchess’ indapendance
the proposal scene
what does julia act as to the duchess
a foil - appears base and wanton in order to make the duchess’ sexuality appear admirable and romantic
how are stella and julia alike
place themselves at the mercy of their respective partners
what is the ultimate cause of julias death
her promiscuity - reinforced by the nature of her death : she dies in the act of kissing
what is said about julia and sex (could link to leaky roof speech)
she isnt obsessed with sex she uses it to search for protection in an unkind world
what do ferdinand and the cardinal represent
two very different but equally destructive images of masculinity
what do the men that ferdinand/cardinal and stanley do
little to nothing to prevent the cruelty and violence of the antagonist
what is significant about having the passage about the french court on the first page
- establishes a benchmark for measuring an honest and honourable court which draws attention to the corruption of the italian court
what is bosola overcome with when finding about the duchess’ and antonios marriage
overcome with joyous confusion that she has refused to obey the rules of this rigid hierarchy by marrying antonio
how does bosola try to remedy the mistake of killing antonio and the duchess
attempt - unsuccessfully - to remedy his mistakes by murdering the cardinal
what is interesting about blanche and the duchess’ costume
used to decieve
blanche = white to feign purity
duchess = loose bodied gown to conceal pregnancy
what do blanche and ferdinand have in common
mourn the death of a loved one in which they bear guilt and responsability for
what do plays sugest about cruelty and violence
they are commonplace and inescapable - madness will inevitably manifest itself in some form
why is it suggested the duchess retains agency
she has possession of her mind - she orders the exacutioners final move not bosola
how are psychological attacks launched in both plays
gift
dom = a coffin to duchess
snd = ticket back laurel
what could be said about characters in both plays and their values
sexual passion valued more than familial love
