Malfi Critical Quotes

Question 1

Dympna Callaghan: “female desire is shown in the play…

Answer 1

… to have the capacity to undermine and ultimately transform the fabric of the state”.

Question 2

Dympna Callaghan - “webster offers a…

Answer 2

…radical critique of the existing political order”.

Question 3

J.W. Lever: “The court of Amalfi…

Answer 3

…presents in miniature the court of Whitehall”.

Question 4

Lisa Hopkins: “she also marries out…

Answer 4

…in terms of class and nationality”.

Question 5

David Cecil: “the world as…

Answer 5

Seen by Webster is of its nature incurably corrupt”.

Question 6

Ribner: “Webster finds moral order..

Answer 6

.. not in traditional faith or theology but in a celebration of human dignity”.

Question 7

Peter Morrison: “the Duchess highlights the immorality…

Answer 7

Of an archaic social system which denies fundamental rights to women”.

Question 8

Joyce Peterson: “She denies her…

Answer 8

…public duty in favour of private desire”.

Question 9

Travis Bodgard: “ man’s evil nature is something…

Answer 9

Webster confronts his audience with throughout the play”.

Question 10

2018 Swan Theatre production opens with the duchess dragging a bull carcass onto the stage. Lisa Hopkins: “the Duchess…

Answer 10

Walks onto the stage, dragging the weight of patriarchal authority with her.”