Streetcar/Malfi key quotes Flashcards
Ferdinand’s desire to control the Duchess to Bosola
“Do you think that herbs or charms can force the will” (act 3, scene 1)
Stanley claiming it was always going to happen
“We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning” (scene 10)
Cardinal questioning Ferdinand
“Are you stark mad?” (act 2, scene 5)
Blanche on her role as a lady
“The lady must entertain the gentleman – or no dice” (scene 6)
Ferdinand upset about treasure he may have gotten from Duchess’ death
“have gained an infinite mass of treasure by her death” (act 4, scene 2)
Blanche flirting with the newsboy
“Young man … has anyone ever told you that you look like a young Prince out of the Arabian nights” (scene 6)
Ferdinand describing how people fall
“Whether we fall by ambition, blood or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust [dies]” (act 5, scene 5)
Antonio about ambition
“Ambition, madam, is a great man’s madness” (act 1, scene 3)
Stanley about Napoleonic code
‘It looks to me like you have been swindled, baby, and when you’re swindled under the Napoleonic code I’m swindled too. And I don’t like to be swindled.”
Stanley bringing Stella to his level
“I pulled you down off them columns and how you loved it”
Stanley describing to Stella that Blanche is the source of problems
“Wasn’t it all ok till she showed here?” (scene 8)
Duchess expressing anger to Bosola
“Were I a man, I’d beat that counterfeit face into thy other” (act 3, scene 5)
Stage direction about Stanley as a person
“[Since earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it … the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens]” (scene 1)
The Duchess’ determination to marry Antonio
“If all my royal kindred lay in my way unto this marriage, I’d make them my low footsteps” (act 1, scene 3)
The Duchess breaking social norms and wooing Antonio
“The misery of us that are born great! We are forc’d to woo, because none dare woo us”
“Sir, be confident”
Blanche about Stanley’s animalistic nature
“What such a man has to offer is animal force” (scene 4)
Physical altercation between Stanley and Stella
“[He seizes her arm]” (scene 8)
Ferdinand’s anger at the apparent diluting of the bloodline
“‘Tis not your wh’‘re’s milk that shall quench my wild-fire, but your wh’‘re’s blood” (act 2, scene 5)
Ferdinand psychologically / physically torturing the Duchess
“[Gives her a dead man’s hand]” (act 4, scene 1)
Blanche shocked by Stella’s living conditions and husband
“In bed with your – Polack!” (scene 1)
Duchess maintaining integrity
“I am Duchess of Malfi still” (act 4, scene 2)
Blanche shocked by Stella’s living conditions and lack of a maid
“You have a maid, don’t you?” (scene 1)
Stanley about what Stella thought about him
“You thought I was common” (scene 8)
Stanley about his heritage
What I am is a one hundred percent American, born and raised in the greatest country on earth and proud as hell of it” (scene 8)
