Streetcar/Malfi key quotes

Question 1

Ferdinand’s desire to control the Duchess to Bosola

Answer 1

“Do you think that herbs or charms can force the will” (act 3, scene 1)

Question 2

Stanley claiming it was always going to happen

Answer 2

“We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning” (scene 10)

Question 3

Cardinal questioning Ferdinand

Answer 3

“Are you stark mad?” (act 2, scene 5)

Question 4

Blanche on her role as a lady

Answer 4

“The lady must entertain the gentleman – or no dice” (scene 6)

Question 5

Ferdinand upset about treasure he may have gotten from Duchess’ death

Answer 5

“have gained an infinite mass of treasure by her death” (act 4, scene 2)

Question 6

Blanche flirting with the newsboy

Answer 6

“Young man … has anyone ever told you that you look like a young Prince out of the Arabian nights” (scene 6)

Question 7

Ferdinand describing how people fall

Answer 7

“Whether we fall by ambition, blood or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust [dies]” (act 5, scene 5)

Question 8

Antonio about ambition

Answer 8

“Ambition, madam, is a great man’s madness” (act 1, scene 3)

Question 9

Stanley about Napoleonic code

Answer 9

‘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.”

Question 10

Stanley bringing Stella to his level

Answer 10

“I pulled you down off them columns and how you loved it”

Question 11

Stanley describing to Stella that Blanche is the source of problems

Answer 11

“Wasn’t it all ok till she showed here?” (scene 8)

Question 12

Duchess expressing anger to Bosola

Answer 12

“Were I a man, I’d beat that counterfeit face into thy other” (act 3, scene 5)

Question 13

Stage direction about Stanley as a person

Answer 13

“[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)

Question 14

The Duchess’ determination to marry Antonio

Answer 14

“If all my royal kindred lay in my way unto this marriage, I’d make them my low footsteps” (act 1, scene 3)

Question 15

The Duchess breaking social norms and wooing Antonio

Answer 15

“The misery of us that are born great! We are forc’d to woo, because none dare woo us”
“Sir, be confident”

Question 16

Blanche about Stanley’s animalistic nature

Answer 16

“What such a man has to offer is animal force” (scene 4)

Question 17

Physical altercation between Stanley and Stella

Answer 17

“[He seizes her arm]” (scene 8)

Question 18

Ferdinand’s anger at the apparent diluting of the bloodline

Answer 18

“‘Tis not your wh’‘re’s milk that shall quench my wild-fire, but your wh’‘re’s blood” (act 2, scene 5)

Question 19

Ferdinand psychologically / physically torturing the Duchess

Answer 19

“[Gives her a dead man’s hand]” (act 4, scene 1)

Question 20

Blanche shocked by Stella’s living conditions and husband

Answer 20

“In bed with your – Polack!” (scene 1)

Question 21

Duchess maintaining integrity

Answer 21

“I am Duchess of Malfi still” (act 4, scene 2)

Question 22

Blanche shocked by Stella’s living conditions and lack of a maid

Answer 22

“You have a maid, don’t you?” (scene 1)

Question 23

Stanley about what Stella thought about him

Answer 23

“You thought I was common” (scene 8)

Question 24

Stanley about his heritage

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

Stanley raping

Answer 25

“[He springs towards her, overturning the table … He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed]” (scene 10)

Question 26

Stage direction about Blanche struggling to adapt

Answer 26

“[The music of polka rises up, faint in the distance]” (scene 1)

Question 27

Stanley angry at Blanche for drinking so much

Answer 27

“Swilling down my liquor” (scene 10)

Question 28

Ferdinand angry at his lack of control over Duchess’ body

Answer 28

“Damn her” That body of hers. While that my blood run pure in’t” (act 4, scene 1)

Question 29

Stella disregarding the rape

Answer 29

“I couldn’t believe her story and go on living with Stanley” (scene 11)

Question 30

Ferdinand about the madmen from the asylum for torturing Duchess

Answer 30

“The common hospital all the mad-folk” (act 4, scene 2)

Question 31

Stanley scolding Blanche for how she speaks

Answer 31

“Don’t ever talk that way to me” (scene 8)

Question 32

Stanley asserting dominance over the women

Answer 32

“Every man is a king! and I am the king around here” (scene 8)

Question 33

Ferdinand committing to violence against Duchess

Answer 33

“Till of her bleeding heart I make a sponge” (act 2, scene 5)

Question 34

Cardinal telling Julia all he has done for her

Answer 34

“I have taken you off your melancholy perch, bore you upon my fist, and show’d you game” (act 2, scene 4)

Question 35

Duchess is resigned to her death and claims power in her last minutes

Answer 35

Bosola: “Doth not death fright you?

Duchess: “Who would be afraid on ‘t,
Knowing to meet such excellent company
In th’ other world?”