Thought/ Reflection Flashcards
Antonio’s Reflection on the Corrupt Court (Act 1, Scene 1):
Antonio reflects on the corrupt nature of the court under the influence of Ferdinand and the Cardinal. His insightful commentary reveals his deep understanding of the moral decay that permeates the court, highlighting his thoughtful nature.
“a prince’s court / Is like a common fountain…Some cursed example poison’t near the head, / Death and diseases through the whole land spread,”
The Duchess’s Reflection on Marriage and Independence (Act 1, Scene 3): In her private reflections, the Duchess contemplates the constraints imposed on her by her brothers and society. She considers the nature of her autonomy and her desire for personal happiness through marriage to Antonio, despite the risks. Her soliloquy, where she declares reflects her thoughtful decision to prioritise her desires and agency over societal expectations.
“Let old wives report / I winked and chose a husband,”
Bosola’s Moral Reflection (Act 2, Scene 1):Bosola frequently reflects on his role as a malcontent and the moral implications of his actions. In Act 2, Scene 1, he muses on the nature of service and his position as a tool of the corrupt nobility. His reflections reveal his awareness of his compromised morality and the bitterness he feels towards his own complicity in wrongdoing
“I am your creature.”
Ferdinand’s Reflection on Madness and Guilt (Act 4, Scene 2):
After the Duchess’s murder, Ferdinand’s reflections display his descent into madness, driven by guilt and a complex mix of emotions towards his sister. His thoughts reveal his internal torment and the conflict between his outward cruelty and inner turmoil.
“Cover her face; mine eyes dazzle: she died young,”
The Duchess’s Reflection on Death (Act 4, Scene 2):
Facing her death, the Duchess reflects on mortality and the nature of her suffering. She expresses profound thoughts on the inevitability of death and her desire to face it with dignity. Her statement shows her courage and philosophical acceptance of death, reflecting deeply on the transient nature of life.
“Who would be afraid on’t, / Knowing to meet such excellent company / In the other world?”
Bosola’s Final Reflections on Repentance and Justice (Act 5, Scene 5):
In the final act, Bosola reflects on his actions and seeks redemption after realising the futility of his service to corrupt masters. These reflections highlight his awareness of the darkness of human nature and his own role in perpetuating it, as well as his desire to make amends, however futile his attempts
“Oh, this gloomy world! / In what a shadow, or deep pit of darkness, / Doth womanish and fearful mankind live!”
At the beginning of Book 9, Satan reflects on his own motivations and the consequences of his rebellion against God. He acknowledges the suffering he endures and the impossibility of returning to Heaven. His soliloquy reveals his inner conflict and resentment. This moment highlights Satan’s complex character and his awareness of his doomed state, showcasing his deep reflection on his actions and their irreversibility
“For only in destroying I find ease / To my relentless thoughts.”
Eve suggests to Adam that they work separately to increase their productivity in tending the Garden of Eden. She reflects on the need for independence and individual effort. Adam initially advises against it, foreseeing potential dangers, but Eve’s reflection shows her desire for autonomy and self-reliance, indicating a thoughtful, though ultimately misguided, consideration of their roles and responsibilities.
“Let us divide our labours.”
In response to Eve’s insistence on working alone, Adam reflects on the nature of free will and obedience. He warns her but also recognises the importance of voluntary obedience, saying that constrained obedience would not be true obedience. Adam’s reflections reveal his understanding of the balance between freedom and divine command, underscoring his wisdom and depth of thought regarding their vulnerable state
“Seek not temptation then,”
As Satan tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, she pauses to reflect on God’s command and the potential consequences of disobedience. She contemplates whether death will indeed follow if she eats the fruit and reasons about the serpent’s apparent ability to speak after eating it. Her line shows her thoughtful but flawed logic, indicating her struggle between caution and curiosity
“What fear I then, rather what know to fear / Under this ignorance of good and evil,”
When Adam learns that Eve has eaten the forbidden fruit, he enters into a deep reflection on his love for her and the consequences of her action. He debates whether he should follow her in disobedience or remain faithful to God’s command. His reflections reveal his inner turmoil. This moment highlights his tragic choice, where love and reason conflict, ultimately leading to his decision to eat the fruit as well
“How can I live without thee, how forgo / Thy sweet converse and love so dearly joined.”
After both have eaten the fruit, Adam and Eve reflect on their fallen state. They experience shame and guilt for the first time and blame each other for their disobedience. Adam laments, reflecting on the deception and its dire effects. This moment captures their loss of innocence and the onset of blame, guilt, and discord, showing a deep reflection on the consequences of their actions
“O Eve, in evil hour thou didst give ear / To that false worm,”
