Reason Flashcards
‘For what can I increase/ or multiply, but curses on my head’
Adam gains a deeper awareness of the consequences of the fall
‘O voice once heard / Delightfully, Increase and multiply, / Now death to hear!’
highlights Adam’s recognition of how his and Eve’s sins have ruined their relationship with God.
‘Oh sacred innocence that sweetly sleeps / On turtles’ feathers, whilst a guilty conscience / Is a black register’
Bosola reveals in his soliloquy in Act 4 Scene 2 that he feels repentant
‘a wretch hath slain his father’
Imminently after the Duchess’ death, Bosola begins to feel a great sense of regret.
AO4
Anagnorisis forms a vital part of revelation in tragedies, and both Bosola and Adam, among other characters, experience it. Tragically, both characters only experience revelations once it is too late, as for Bosola the Duchess is now dead, and Adam has already committed his sin.
A04
In the same way that Adam realises his sin has destroyed the once harmonious relationship he had with God, Bosola’s guilt towards the murder of the Duchess shows his understanding of how he will be punished by a higher divine power.
AO4
The corrupt relationship between Adam and God and the grievous murder of the Duchess mirror the scandal which surrounded the court which existed when both pieces were written.
AO3
After England had experienced a period of Republicanism, Milton realised that a lack of earthly ruler allowed man to demonstrate obedience to God and deepen his relationship with him, which was jeopardised when Charles obtained the throne.
‘Into her heart too easy entrance won’
Although Eve knows that she obtains reason, she is unaware that it is compromised so readily with the slightest temptation from the serpent. This could be Milton’s attempt to imply that women are so weak
‘Lusty widow’
The Duchess’ reason is illustrated as being greatly contaminated by her lustfulness as she lives up to her depiction of the stereotype
‘I’ll never marry’ and cariola ‘So most widows say, / But commonly that motion lasts no longer’
It is evident that Ferdinand believes she has been so warped by her lustfulness that she is unable to say anything with any true or factual meaning.
AO3
The weakness of both significant female characters portrayed through the easy manipulation of their reason, could be said to be a mirror of the weak perception of Queen Elizabeth I. Many people argued that she was an illegitimate Queen, lacking an heir, and a particularly poor ruler due to being a woman.
AO5
Jankowski, 1990 argues that ‘by not challenging the Renaissance discourse of woman, the Duchess effectively allows herself to be read as a whore’, which is reiterated through her portrayal of being a lusty widow, whose reason is manipulated.
‘Let us divide our labours, thou where choice / Leads thee, or where most needs’
Eve’s suggestion to work away from Adam in order to split their work results in her temptation by the serpent. She reasons to Adam in Book 9 Line 214
‘Safest and seemliest by her husband stays’
Patriarchal views of Adams reason