The Duchess Of Malfi - Context Flashcards
How does the social context of Catholicism weave into the play?
Its Italian setting and character behaviour are steeped in the context of Catholicism, which includes corruption, power and morality
The Cardinal is a Catholic official whose corrupt and immoral actions contrast with the religious ideals his position is supposed to uphold.
This juxtaposition highlights the theme of hypocrisy within powerful religious institutions.
What was Jacobean society’s view on catholics and why?
Jacobean society was largely anti-Catholic, inherited from the previous Elizabethan era
The English Reformation (where the Church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic Church to become Protestant) and events such as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, exacerbated fears towards Catholics
Catholics were often viewed as traitorous and a threat to the stability of the Protestant English state
This mistrust was institutionalised in laws that restricted their rights to practice their religion openly and participate fully in public life.
How did society’s views on Catholicism influence Webster’s writing of the play?
Society’s views on Catholicism likely influenced Webster’s choice to set the play in a Catholic country like Italy, which for an English audience would have evoked images of corruption, decadence, and moral decay—qualities that are central to the play’s dark and tragic atmosphere
The Italian setting allows Webster to explore themes of corruption without directly critiquing the English church, providing a safer political backdrop to explore sensitive issues.
This setting made the play’s critique of power and corruption more palatable to a Jacobean audience by projecting these problems onto a foreign and Catholic other.
What was the monarchy like during Webster’s time of writing the play?
The English monarchy was transitioning from the Elizabethan to the Jacobean era. Elizabeth I’s reign (1558-1603) was marked by the establishment of Protestantism and relative political stability, albeit with significant threats, such as the Spanish Armada
James I (1603-1625) inherited a relatively stable kingdom but faced challenges such as increased religious division, financial problems, and conflicts with Parliament. James focused on the divine right of kings and seeking to promote unity within his kingdoms.
What were the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I like - what religion/denomination did they belong to?
Elizabeth I was a Protestant, and her reign established the Church of England’s independence from the Catholic Church
Elizabeth’s introduced the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, which established a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism
James I was also a Protestant. However, he leaned towards the Anglican structure, similar to Elizabeth’s, with an emphasis on hierarchy.
Faced opposition from more radical Protestants and a Catholic minority.
Can it be argued that the duchess is representative / unrepresentative of Elizabeth I in regards to noble status and character?
Similarities: Noble Status and Character Traits
1. Position and Authority: Both the Duchess of Malfi and Elizabeth I held positions of power. Both were sovereigns in their respective rights, wielding authority in male-dominated societies.
- Personal Strength and Determination: Both figures are celebrated for their strong will and determination. The Duchess of Malfi is a firm and morally upright character who chooses her own path in life. Similarly, Elizabeth I is known for her strong leadership and ability to maintain power and authority, often against significant opposition.
- Challenges as Female Rulers: Both faced challenges as women in power. Elizabeth I famously manipulated her image as both a woman and a ruler, remaining the “Virgin Queen” to maintain her independence and authority. The Duchess faces the challenge of secretive marriage, ultimately leading to her tragic downfall due to societal and familial pressures.
Differences: Representation and Context
1.Tragic Heroine vs. Successful Monarch: The Duchess of Malfi is a tragic character whose defiance of patriarchal norms leads to her death. Elizabeth I, however, managed to navigate the complexities of her reign without succumbing to external pressures to marry or renounce power, and she died a natural death after a long and largely successful reign.
Representative in terms of leadership and the challenges she faces as a female ruler, but unrepresentative in her personal tragic narrative, contrasting with Elizabeth’s successful reign.
The comparison highlights the shared struggles of women in power
Meaning of the “virgin queen” title
Elizabeth chose never to marry, a decision that was both personal and strategic
= by remaining unmarried, she avoided political complications that could arise from an alliance with a foreign power or domestic noble, which might limit her authority
Additionally, the title aligned her with the Virgin Mary
= this association permeated her reign with a sense of divine approval and moral purity.
Opposition faced by Elizabeth I
- Religious Conflict: Following the English Reformation initiated by her father, Henry VIII, Elizabeth inherited a kingdom divided between Catholics and Protestants. Her religious settlements sought a middle path, but radical elements on both sides viewed her policies with suspicion and sometimes hostility.
- Foreign Threats: Elizabeth faced threats from major powers like Spain and France. The Spanish Armada in 1588 was a pivotal moment when Catholic Spain attempted to invade England to replace Elizabeth with a Catholic monarch, Mary Queen of Scots.
- Internal Plots: There were several plots to dethrone or assassinate Elizabeth, most notably involving Mary Queen of Scots, who was seen by Catholics as the legitimate sovereign.
- Gendered Challenges: As a woman in a male-dominated society, Elizabeth constantly had to prove her capability. Her council was initially skeptical of her leadership abilities solely based on her gender.
What was the court of James I like?
Characteristics of James I’s Court:
Favouritism and Corruption: His court was notorious for the king’s lavish spending on favourites. This favouritism led to corruption, as these favourites often wielded disproportionate political influence without experience
Religious Policy: James pursued a policy of trying to unify his kingdom under a single faith (Anglicanism), leading to tension with both Catholics and more extreme Protestants (Puritans)
His efforts included commissioning the King James Bible
Intellectualism and Mysticism: The court also had an intellectual bent, with James himself being quite scholarly. However, the era was also rife with interest in mysticism and the supernatural, and James took an interest in witch trials.
Is James I’s court criticised in the Duchess of malfi and if so, how and why?
While set in Italy, the play can be seen as a critique of corruption, misuse of power, and moral decay, themes resonant with James’s court.
Corruption and Abuse of Power: Ferdinand and the Cardinal are portrayed as corrupt and power-hungry, which could reflect the corrupt and manipulative courtiers around James
The Cardinal could be viewed as a critique of the moral corruption in religious and political institutions, similar to the favouritism in James’s court.
Tyranny and Control: The control Ferdinand and the Cardinal exert over the Duchess could also be interpreted as a critique of the controlling tendencies of James, who relied on asserting their divine right to rule without parliamentary interference, often leading to tyrannical governance.
Personal Tragedy and Public Rule: The personal tragedy of the Duchess, who is persecuted for remarrying according to her wishes could reflect the lack of freedom and the consequences of challenging societal norms, mirroring the constraints and public scrutiny faced by those at James’s court.
What is the great chain of being?
A hierarchical structure of all matter and life, believed to have been decreed by God
The idea that everything in the universe had a precise place and rank in order of their spiritual and moral purity.
Disruptions in the chain were thought to cause chaos in the natural order, reflecting the societal importance of maintaining order and hierarchy.
How does Webster utilise the great chain of being in the Duchess of malfi - through what events, deaths or characters?
The play does not explicitly reference the Great Chain, but can be seen as a critique of the disruption caused when natural law is broken. Key aspects include:
The Duchess’s Marriage: The Duchess defies the norms of her station by marrying Antonio. This marriage can be viewed as a disruption of the social order or a “chain” that leads to tragedy
The Deaths and Events: The violent and chaotic downfall of the Duchess and her family reflects the broader collapse of order within the play. The unnatural behaviors of her brothers, especially Ferdinand’s descent into madness, are portrayed as distortions of the natural order, aligning with the idea that breaking the chain leads to moral chaos.
Characterisation: Ferdinand and the Cardinal represent corrupt elements at the higher end of the chain, suggesting a critique of the idea that higher social rank correlates with moral or natural superiority.
How Does His Play Reflect His Views on the Great Chain of Being?
Webster’s play suggests a skeptical view of the Great Chain of Being - the supposed guardians of order (the nobility) are often the most corrupt and disorderly
By depicting the tragic consequences of hierarchical abuses of power, Webster critiques the notion that social rank is inherently connected to moral virtue
Was Webster Known for Agreeing/Disagreeing with the Great Chain of Being?
Webster’s personal views on the Great Chain of Being are not explicit, but his plays, including “The White Devil,” explore themes of corruption and moral ambiguity among the high-ranking characters
This suggests a critical stance towards the traditional values associated with the Great Chain of Being - his works questions its validity
Webster uses the disruption of the hierarchy and the tragic consequences that follow to critique the rigid and hypocritical nature of the Great Chain of Being. His portrayal of noble characters as villainous challenges the notion that social rank confers moral superiority.
What is the Divine Right of Kings?
A political and religious doctrine where a monarch is subject only to the will of God, and not to any earthly authority, including the church or the people
The king’s right to rule is derived directly from God’s will so a king’s actions cannot be challenged
This was used to justify the absolute power of the king, suggesting that any attempt to limit his authority meant a defiance of the will of God.
