Quotes Flashcards
1
Q
‘I have always relied on the kindness of strangers’
A
- Blanche has always had to rely on strangers as they provide more comfort that she has received for those she loves.
- Blanche’s deep sense of vulnerability and her inability to take control of her own life.
- Blanche’s deep sense of vulnerability and her inability to take control of her own life.
2
Q
sewn up in a white sack
A
- metaphor implies that Blanche is unable to escape her past and that her destruction is inevitable evokes burial shroud
- Blanche to be pure in death, even if she didn’t achieve it in life, she wishes her facade to live through her death
- Blanche, who once tried to control her image and manipulate her environment, is now completely powerless. Her fate is no longer in her hands
3
Q
[Lurid reflections], ‘[shadows of grotesque and menacing form]’ ( Scene Ten)
A
- Reflected Blanche’s perception of the world as twisted, alarming, and full of distortion.
- The motif of light and dark depicts the violation that is too come as well as the eradication of all hope and truth. stage direction also creates a sense of dread and foreboding.
- The grotesque and menacing shadows foreshadow the collapse of her mental state and the violent events that will soon unfold
4
Q
‘decked herself in somewhat soiled and crumpled satin’
A
- Blanche is attempting to present herself as elaborate or refined, using appearance as a means of self-definition -> crumpled: contradiction between her attempts to appear polished and the reality of her situation.
- “soiled” satin may also symbolize Blanche’s loss of innocence through traumatic experiences
- clinging to a notion of refinement and luxury that no longer exists. It is a visual manifestation of her attempts to deny the harshness of her reality.
5
Q
‘a cleft in the rock of the world i could hide in’
A
- symbol of refuge: Mitch was her protection from the world,
- This cleft represents the fantasy of finding a refuge, free from judgment and pain.
- longing for peace and separation from the chaos and cruelty of the world,
- her idealized fantasy of a sanctuary
6
Q
I’ve never had a good look at you
A
- Mitch is referring to never having seen Blanche in the light. This shows Blanche’s avoidance of the truth in order to cultivate a fantasy to escape from her past.
- Mitch is rejecting all the deception that Blanche has created in his perception of her.
7
Q
‘Lapping it up all summer like a wild cat’
A
- the vulgar and condensing language used to describe Blanche, shows Mitch’s lack of respect towards her, as her truth as been revealed
- Mitch reduces Blanche to something primal, untamed.
- Mitch’s moral disapproval of Blanche - He accuses her of living indulgently, without care for the consequences of her actions, thus revealing the depth of his disillusionment - tark contrast to Blanche’s carefully cultivated image of purity and class.
8
Q
‘you have a great capacity for devotion’
A
- Mitch’s capacity for loyalty and affection in comparison to the harsh, dominant portrayal of Stanley.
- Blanche’s statement underscores her deep longing for affection and security - chance to escape her tragic history and find solace in someone who cares for her.
9
Q
‘There has never been any light stronger than this kitchen candle’
A
- Light is a recurring symbol, often associated with Blanche’s fragility and her desperate attempts to maintain an idealized, controlled image of herself.
- Blanche laments her past love: Alan who came into her life like a ‘blinding light’. the closest she has come to recapturing that feeling is this candle - which shows that despite the lies she loves Mitch.
10
Q
‘under one leaky roof to another’ (Scene 5)
A
- A “leaky roof” suggests Blanche is inadequate and unstable
- Blanche is referring to her promiscuous past where she ran from one man to another for temporary protection, to feel loved and wanted when she had no one.
- She felt ‘empty’ and this was a coping mechanism to escape the present
- This line foreshadows Blanche’s eventual fate—her desperate attempts to find security will ultimately lead to her downfall
11
Q
‘make a little temporary magic’ (Scene 5)
A
- Blanche constantly seeks to replace harsh reality with illusion.
- Blanche wishes to create a ‘fantasy’ form of escapism from the difficulties of her life by creating a facade.
- Blanche’s Romanticized View of Life: She believes in creating beauty and pleasure, even if it is based on deception.
- Blanche’s belief in “magic” starkly contrasts with Stanley’s harsh, unromantic worldview. Stanley represents brute reality.
12
Q
‘Soft people have to shimmer and glow’ (Scene 5)
A
- refers to individuals who are emotionally sensitive, fragile, or unable to withstand the brutality of reality.
- refers to individuals who are emotionally sensitive, fragile, or unable to withstand the brutality of reality.
- The soft colours do not improve her life, but improve her perspective of the world
- Blanche has internalized this expectation, believing that her worth depends on her ability to maintain this illusion of beauty and grace.
13
Q
He acts like an animal, has animal habits’
A
- Blanche describes Stanley as running on primal and primitive instincts and missing many of the finer emotions other aggression and lust.
- Blanche is highlighting the fact that desire is not love.
- tenderness in Stanley is minimal, barely developed, or overshadowed by his dominant, brutish nature.
- Blanche believes in traditional romantic ideals—she longs for a protective, chivalrous love
14
Q
‘in some kind of people tender feelings have had some little beginning’ (Scene 3)
A
- The quote is deeply ironic because Stanley will later prove himself to be entirely devoid of the “tender feelings” Blanche hopes for.
- Blanche utters this line after witnessing Stanley’s violent outburst toward Stella. She struggles to comprehend why Stella remains devoted to a man who treats her with such aggression.
15
Q
‘men at the peak of their physical manhood, as coarse and direct and powerful as the primary colours’ (Scene 3)
A
- Stanley and his friends as virile, dominant figures, embodying an ideal of raw, unrestrained masculinity.
- The primary colours - bold and direct - unrefined, lacking subtlety or nuance.
-reflects the fundamental conflict between Blanche and Stanley:
16
Q
‘[tosses the instrument out of the window]’ (scene 3)
A
- Stanley’s desire to be in control and his dominance over the other characters. His dominance is enacted by violence and aggression
-solidifies his characterization as a figure driven by raw physicality and emotion rather than reason or restraint. - microcosm of the larger conflict between Blanche (who brings music, fantasy, and illusion) and Stanley (who represents harsh reality and brute force).
17
Q
‘I can’t stand a naked light bulb’ (Scene 3)
A
- The ‘light’ signifies the truth and the avoidance of this ‘truth’ - she fears the exposure of both her physical aging and the truth about her past.
- Blanche repulses seeing a realistic image of herself, so she manipulates other’s perception of her
- at the end: her illusions are shattered, and she is forced to confront the harsh reality she has tried so hard to avoid
18
Q
love letters, yellowing with antiquity’ (Scene 2)
A
- a sign of her guilt and her holding onto the past - symbolizes how the past, though once vibrant and full of life, is now tarnished and distan
- She doesn’t want him to taint the letters on her memory of him, Stanley’s impurity is intruding on her fantasy - letters represent the idealized and romanticized vision of love that Blanche clings to.
- Blanche’s attachment to the letters is a form of escapism
19
Q
I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost died for it ‘ (Scene 2)
A
- Belle Reeve, which means “beautiful dream” in French, is a symbol of Blanche’s once privileged, idealized past in the South.
- tremendous emotional and psychological toll
- metaphor for her emotional collapse and the trauma she experienced after losing the estate
20
Q
‘daintly dressed in a white suit’ (Scene 1) - stage directions
A
- Her appearance is ‘incongruous’ to the setting,
- the colour symbolism of white connotes purity, innocence and represents the ideals of the southern belle - privilege and status in the South
-The whiteness is also ironic because it contrasts sharply with the reality of Blanche’s past - The facade of the southern belle is an idea that Blanche utilises to escape from her past and rebuild an image for herself.
- Blanche is trying to project an image of fragility, femininity, and delicacy.
21
Q
‘I’ve got to keep a hold of myself’ (scene 1)
A
- This shows her struggle to survive and keep her facade. This further sets Blanche up as a doomed character from the start.
- struggle to maintain her mental and emotional stability - she is acknowledging, even if fleetingly, the fragility of her psyche.
- She is unwilling to let go of her image as a Southern belle and the person she wishes to be, which adds complexity to her character’s refusal to accept the truth
22
Q
‘Suggests a moth’ (scene 1)
A
- symbolism of the moth - fleeting ,fragile,delicate, insubstantial, vulnerable,
- attracted to the light even to a destructive point - Ironic because that ‘light’ that she keeps avoiding will be inevitable downfall.
- The imagery of a moth also conveys a sense of helplessness and being at the mercy of external forces - evoke a sense of pathos for Blanche
23
Q
one’s my limit’ (Scene 1)
A
- This shows her reliance on alcohol but also her tendency for deceit to cover up her flaws.
- Alcohol is a form escapism for her.
24
Q
her delicate beauty must avoid a strong light’ (Scene one)
A
- the motif of light represents the truth, Blanche must avoid the unveiling quality of the truth and her avoidance of it.
- The avoidance of strong light reflects Blanche’s tendency to live in self-deception, where she creates an idealized version
- tension between illusion and reality
25
Q
Elysian Fields
A
- Elysian Fields” originates from Greek mythology, referring to the paradise where heroic and virtuous souls reside after death. irony because Blanche, expecting some form of refuge or salvation, arrives at a run-down, working-class district of New Orleans rather than an idyllic paradise.
- clash between the Old South (Blanche) and the New America (Stanley and Stella).
26
Q
‘red stained package’
A
- clear symbol of Stanley’s raw, animalistic masculinity.
- he “heaves” it at Stella reinforces his aggressive, almost caveman-like/regressive demeanor, aligning him with themes of brute physicality and dominance
- foreshadows violence and destruction
- The visceral imagery of raw meat contrasts starkly with Blanche DuBois’ world of illusion, refinement, and delicacy.
27
Q
‘her delicate must avoid a strong light’
A
- delicate suggests Blanche’s fragility—both emotionally and psychologically.
- dim lighting to maintain the illusion of youth and beauty.
- light represents truth and reality - signifies her inability to confront her past
28
Q
‘stiffly with her shoulders slightly hunched … her hands tightly clutching her purse’
A
- The word stiffly suggests that Blanche is uncomfortable and uneasy - making her feel out of place in the working-class setting
- convey nervousness and defensiveness,
- A purse is a symbol of material wealth and security, things that Blanche is desperately trying to hold onto.
- Her nervous demeanor suggests that she is already mentally fragile.
29
Q
‘i’ve got to keep hold of myself’
A
- Blanche’s awareness of her own instability, implying an underlying emotional turmoil.
- This foreshadows her increasing inability to sustain the illusions she creates,
- This moment sets the tone for her journey towards madness, culminating in her complete mental breakdown by the play’s end.
30
Q
‘soaking in a hot tub’
A
- source of warmth and relaxation
- The bath symbolizes her desire to cleanse, baptise and purify herself
-private moment of escapsim that contrasts with the harsh environment - separate herself from the brutalities of the outside world ~ fleeting
31
Q
Scene 3 setting with Van Goghs picture of billard-parlour at night
A
- Van Gogh’s painting depicts a billiard room at night, filled with an intense, almost oppressive yellow-red glow.
- The colours are unnatural, with swirling, exaggerated contrasts that create a sense of unease and volatility.
- Williams mirrors this in scene 3 where male aggression dominates in the poker, and women, particularly Stella and Blanche, feel out of place.
32
Q
“loud whack of his hand on her thigh” -> “that’s not fun, Stanley”
A
> An assertion of dominance, in front of his poker friends
reinforces the primal environment of the poker scene
“whack” implies force, possession, and a disregard for Stella’s autonomy.
> Stella is attempting to set a boundary
This reflects the power imbalance in their relationship—her response is subdued, perhaps as outright defiance would escalate the situation.
foreshadows the later cycle of violence and reconciliation in their relationship
reflects the gender dynamics of 1940s New Orleans, where women were often expected to endure male dominance rather than challenge it
33
Q
Blanche -> “together mean white woods”
A
- Blanche means “white,” a colour associated with innocence, purity, and delicacy. This reflects how Blanche tries to present herself as a refined Southern belle
- In reality, Blanche’s past is stained with promiscuity and lies, making her name ironic.
- woods” can symbolize secrecy, and the unknown.
34
Q
“drunk - drunk - animal thing, you !”
A
- The repetition of “drunk—drunk” conveys stella increasing panic and frustration - powerlessness
- Stella acknowledges his raw, primitive nature
- Stanley asserts himself through aggression rather than words.
35
Q
“come together with low, animal moans”
A
- relationship is built on an intense physical and sexual connection rather than rationality
- relying/pursuing base desire/instincts of carnal desire
- stella submits to the cycle of violence and passion, unable to resist the force of their attraction.
36
Q
“her eyes go blind with tenderness”
A
- metaphorically blind to stanley’s actions, rationalising stanley’s actions through their desire
- her love for Stanley is intertwined with suffering,
- Stella a willing participant in her own oppression as desire overcomes logic
Stanley’s dominance is not only just physical but emotional too.
37
Q
“I need kindness now”
A
- encapsulates her vulnerability, desperation, and tragic dependence on others for emotional survival.
- Blanche seeks protection in men turning to Mitch as her saviour
- Mitch as her last hope for stability and kindness.
- Mitch portrays a more gentle version of manhood
- foreshadows the ending ‘I have always relied on the kindness of strangers’
38
Q
“soft people have got to court the favour of hard ones”
A
- weak must seek protection from those who are strong,
- charm, beauty, and illusion to gain security - exposes her desperation
- Blanche’s quote reflects the patriarchal structure of society, where women (especially those without financial independence) must rely on men for stability.
- Blanche romanticizes this power dynamic, seeing it as a necessary game rather than a harsh reality.
39
Q
“and I’m fading now! … the afternoon has faded to dark”
A
- mirrors Blanche’s own sense of fading youth and beauty.
- literal (her ageing) and metaphorical (her diminishing ability to manipulate and survive through charm and deception).
- equates her worth with her physical attractiveness,
40
Q
“it foams over and spills. Blanche gave a piercing cry “
A
- overreaction, hinting at Blanche’s nervous disposition and inner turmoil.
- Blanche meticulously curates her image, always trying to appear refined and in control.
- The sudden, uncontrollable spill disrupts this illusion, mirroring her fear that she cannot stop time, ageing, or the truth from emerging.
41
Q
“without waiting for him to accept, she crosses quickly to him and presses her lips to his”
A
- urgent need for male attention and affection.
- reinforcing her fear of fading beauty and irrelevance. She tries to recapture her lost youth
- needs to control
42
Q
“Is that streetcar named desire still grinding along the tracks at this hour?
A
- The streetcar represents a relentless, uncontrollable force driving people toward their desires
- It’s an ever-present force, continuing even at night, when things are supposed to slow down. Blanche’s desires are constantly driving her, and she’s unable to escape from them
43
Q
“a girl alone in the world, has got to keep a firm hold on her emotions or she’ll be lost”
A
- Blanche’s statement reflects her deep fear of losing control over her emotions.
- She believes that showing vulnerability or being emotionally expressive might lead to her downfall.
- Blanche’s habitual repression of her emotions - constant internal struggle to preserve her fragile sense of dignity and self-worth
44
Q
“You need somebody. And i need somebody, too, Could it be you and me?”
A
-acknowledging her need for emotional intimacy
- reflects her desire for both romantic love and security, something she has been searching for throughout the play.
- “could” suggests a tentative hopefulness rather than certainty, precariousness of the situation and the fear of rejection
45
Q
“sister blanche is no Lily”
A
- Lilly - purity, innocence, and virtue stripping away the refined, virtuous image that Blanche has tried to present.
- Stanley represents brutal realism, while Blanche clings to illusion
46
Q
“it wouldn’t be make believe if you believed in me”
A
- Blanche sings the song “It’s Only a Paper Moon”: This mirrors Blanche’s entire existence; she constructs a world of illusions to shield herself from the harsh truths of her past.
- if you believed in me” underscores Blanche’s reliance on male affirmation. She believes that as long as a man—Mitch, in this case—accepts her constructed identity, she can sustain her fantasy.
47
Q
“her future is mapped out for her”
A
- implies that she has no agency over her destiny suggesting that he holds power over her fate.
- Blanche, as a woman, is at the mercy of male-dominated society.
- This adds a layer of dramatic irony, as the audience begins to realize Blanche’s fate before she does.
- implying that Blanche’s past actions have already sealed her future.
48
Q
-“last year or two she has been washed up like a poison”
A
- evokes the image of something discarded, useless, or left behind by the tide. This suggests that Blanche is no longer desirable or socially accepted, emphasizing her loss of status and purpose.
- suggests that she corrupts those around her, reinforcing Stanley’s view that she is a threat to his household and marriage.
- references Blanche’s recent downward spiral, marked by her dismissal from her teaching job, her financial struggles, and her social decline
49
Q
“Mr kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself to think of anything else”
A
- “pig” reinforces the idea that Stella sees him as crude, unrefined, and animalistic—far removed from the Southern aristocratic views of Stella’s past.
- broader theme of Old South vs. New South, where Blanche represents fading aristocratic values, and Stanley embodies the modern, working-class America
- Stanley is associated with primal, animalistic traits - portraying him as someone driven by base instincts—appetite, aggression, and dominance.
50
Q
“Everyman is a king! And I’m king Around her so don’t forget it”
A
- reinforces his belief in traditional patriarchal authority. He expects to be the undisputed ruler of his household, with Stella and Blanche submitting to his will.
- he feels his authority is being challenged—particularly by Blanche, whose aristocratic airs threaten his control over Stella.
51
Q
“We make noise in the night that we used and get the coloured lights going”
A
- explicit allusion to his and Stella’s intense sexual relationship, which he believes is the foundation of their bond.
- is symbolic of passion, excitement, and raw physical attraction—contrasting with Blanche’s romanticized, illusionary view of love.
52
Q
“Candles burn out in little boys or girls eyes or the wind blows them out … electric light bulbs go on and you see too plainly”
A
- suggests the loss of innocence and idealism. Candles provide a soft, romantic light, which Blanche associates with youth, hope, and fantasy.
- symbolizing how childhood innocence and idealized dreams are inevitably destroyed by reality.
- the idea that external forces will always erode beauty and idealism,
53
Q
“People like you abused her and forced her to change”
A
- emotional and physical abuse she endured in her past, particularly in relation to her failed marriage and the loss of her young husband
- a pattern of men who “abused” her emotionally—whether through societal expectations, rejection, or betrayal
- Blanche’s resentment toward society, which she believes forces women to conform to certain ideals of purity and sexuality.
54
Q
“Music in her mind; she is drinking to escape it and sense of disaster closing in”
A
- Blanche is overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions that she cannot escape - internal cacophony.
- Her mind is filled with fragments of her past, and the music in her head becomes a haunting reminder of what has been lost, the guilt she carries, and her inability to escape these memories.
- exposure of her secrets—the truth about her failed marriage, the loss of her family estate, and her sexual past
- critical representation of Blanche’s emotional desperation and her need for escape from a reality that she finds too painful to face.
55
Q
“Panic that drive me from one to another, hunting for some protection”
A
- Blanche is in a state of intense emotional distress - led to her erratic behavior and her constant search for ways to numb or escape these feelings.
- Blanche’s pattern of seeking emotional connections and security,
- Protection here signifies Blanche’s deep vulnerability.
56
Q
“Flores para los muertos”
A
- Flowers are often symbolic of beauty, fragility, and ephemeral life, which are all relevant to Blanche’s own existence. In many ways, she sees herself as fragile and delicate, and the flowers evoke this sense of vulnerability
- the flowers are for the dead, which symbolizes the fact that Blanche’s glory days—her youth and beauty—are gone, and she is unable to protect them or reclaim them.
57
Q
“vivid green silk bowling shirt”
A
- reflecting his brash, dominant personality. The silk material suggests luxury and sensuality, and the vivid green color is both eye-catching and unrestrained—symbolizing Stanley’s assertive masculinity and his ability to draw attention.
- Green can represent envy, jealousy, and greed, which resonate with Stanley’s character as he becomes increasingly jealous of Blanche and her influence
- The boldness of Stanley’s shirt contrasts with Blanche’s vulnerability, signaling the clash of wills and the destruction of Blanche’s illusions that will culminate in the brutal rape scene.
58
Q
the silk pyjamas I wore on my wedding night”
A
- Silk is often associated with luxury, sensuality, and refinement, which is consistent with the persona Blanche tries to project.
- The mention of the pyjamas reflects a kind of sexual assertion,
- Stanley is aware of Blanche’s destabilizing influence in his home, and his mention of the pyjamas highlights the intimate bond he shares with Stella, which he feels Blanche is threatening.
59
Q
“physical beauty is passing a transitory possession but the beauty of a mind and richness of spirit and tenderness of heart … aren’t taken away but grow”
A
- She clings to the idea that inner beauty—the beauty of the mind, spirit, and heart—is of lasting value, unlike the fleeting nature of physical appearance. This belief can be seen as a coping mechanism,
- Blanche often relies on her looks and charm as a means of self-validation.
- She clings to the idea of an idealized version of beauty that goes beyond the physical, using it as a defense mechanism against the harshness of reality.
- physical beauty is transitory speaks to her awareness of the inevitable aging process and the impermanence of youth and attractiveness
60
Q
“seizes the paper Lantern tearing it off the light bulb … she cries out as if the Lantern was herself”
A
- Blanche uses the paper lantern to soften the harshness of reality - represent her illusions - and symbolically strip her of illusions leaving her defenseless in the brutal world
- The tearing of the lantern is a physical manifestation of Blanche’s psychological breakdown; it signifies her complete loss of control over her life - highlights her vulnerability.
- final assertion of dominance,
61
Q
“you left the phone off the hook talking to me… he crosses to it deliberately and sets it back on the hook”
A
- symbolizes Blanche’s last attempt for escape, phone often acts as tool within her illusion surrounding shep - breakdown of those illusions.
- Stanley symbolically cuts off Blanche from any hope of escape or salvation. This action cements her fate—she is completely at his mercy, and no external force will intervene.
62
Q
“she smashes a bottle on the table and faces him clutching the broken top”
A
- physically arming herself in a moment of fear and desperation - fragile attempt to assert power in a situation where she has been consistently overpowered.
- The broken bottle is both a weapon and a symbol of Blanche herself—once whole, now shattered and dangerous but still powerless.
63
Q
“she sobs with inhumane abandon”
A
- uncontrollable grief, indicating that Stella is overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow.
- Implies a primal, almost animalistic reaction, as if Stella has momentarily lost all composure and rationality
-Stella is caught between her loyalty to Stanley and her love for Blanche.
64
Q
I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley … life has to go on”
A
- Blanche’s tragedy is overt—she is institutionalized—Stella’s tragedy is quieter but just as devastating.
- Stella’s decision highlights the moral ambiguity in the play. Rather than a clear sense of right and wrong, Williams presents a world where survival often demands compromise.
-“life has to go on” indicates resignation rather than conviction.
65
Q
“she has a tragic radiance in her red satin robe”
A
- Blanche still retains an aura of grace, beauty, or dignity, even in her final moments of psychological collapse.
- phrase captures Blanche’s descent into madness - she remains the tragic heroine, clinging to the illusion of grandeur
- Satin is a luxurious fabric, reinforcing Blanche’s attachment to beauty and refinement,
- Red traditionally symbolizes passion, love, danger, or violence
66
Q
“we’ve had this date with each other from the beginning”
A
- implies that their power struggle was always leading to this violent climax, reinforcing the idea that Blanche’s downfall was inevitable from the moment she arrived in New Orleans.
- his moment directly leads to her final breakdown, making the line the turning point that destroys any last hope for Blanche’s survival in Stanley’s world
67
Q
-“you fly beyond your reason … how idly shows this rage which carries you as men conveyed by which is through the air”
A
- Ferdinand is allowing his emotions to override logic, making him irrational and impulsive.The metaphor of “flying” implies losing control, recklessness, and hysteria.
- Ferdinand’s rage is pointless, futile, and excessive. contrasts Cardinal’s composed strategy
- The idea of being carried by witches also hints at madness and supernatural forces, foreshadowing his later lycanthropy
68
Q
“yes if I could change eyes with a basilisk”
A
- desire for destructive power and revenge, reflecting his intense hatred and his wish to harm the Duchess for defying him.
- imagery underscores his obsessive, pathological desire for control over the Duchess and his belief that he has the right to punish her for her independence.
69
Q
“the howling of a wolf is music to the screech owl”
A
- wolf here represents something savage and wild, an image of brutality and disorder. It is associated with ferocity and untamed aggression
- The screech owl is often associated with the night, death, and something sinister - it acts as a metaphor for the Duchess— whose actions appear deeply unnatural and wrong.
- Duchess has chosen a path that leads to moral decay and disorder - equating her rebellion against his wishes to something primitive and feral.
70
Q
“dip the sheets they lie in and in pitch or sulphur”
A
- sheets are symbols of the marital bond between the Duchess and Antonio, implies that their marriage is unholy or impure in Ferdinand’s eyes.
- Pitch and sulphur are substances associated with fire, brimstone, and hell in literature, often linked to punishment and damnation - irreversible corruption, it is rooted in a desire for moral retribution, and his choice of pitch and sulphur evokes ideas of divine wrath and eternal punishment.
71
Q
virtue, where art thou hid? what hideous thing is that doth eclipse thee?”
A
- Ferdinand believes the Duchess was once virtuous and pure but has somehow lost or hidden that quality. marriage represents a moral fall
- The term “hideous” evokes a sense of grotesque immorality, furthering Ferdinand’s view of the Duchess’s actions as both deplorable and unnatural.
72
Q
“show he was too honest. Pluto to the God of riches, when he sent by Jupiter to any man, he goes limping”
A
- corrupt world of The Duchess of Malfi, where power is often achieved through manipulation and deceit, Ferdinand’s adherence to honesty contrasts the setting
- This suggests that Ferdinand’s honesty hinders his ability to act decisively or efficiently in the politically ruthless worlds around him
- metaphor underscores the idea that virtue or moral purity is at odds with the necessary corruption of the world around him.
73
Q
A
