Webster Quotes

Question 1

I.i. poison

Answer 1

Antonio : but if’t chance / some cursed example poison’t near te head / Death and diseases through the whole land spread

Question 2

I.i. crooked

Answer 2

B : He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are rich and overladen but nothing but crows, pies, and caterpillars feed on them

Question 3

I.i. Antonio about Ferdinand

Answer 3

What appear in him mirth is merely outside

Question 4

I.i. Cardinal and Ferdinand to Duchess

Answer 4

F : Let not youth, high promotion, eloquence –

C : No, nor anything without the addition, honor, / Sway your high blood

Question 5

I.i. Duchess about exchange

Answer 5

I think this speech between you both was studied, / It came so roundly off.

Question 6

I.i. Ferdinand threatens Duchess

Answer 6

You are myself sister. / [Showing his dagger] This was my father’s poniard. Do you see? / I’d be loath to see’t look rusty, ‘cause ‘twas his.

Question 7

I.i. Ferdinand sex joke

Answer 7

And women like that part which, like the lamprey, / Hath ne’er a bone in’t.

Question 8

I.i. Duchess courting Antonio

Answer 8

D : Twas my wedding ring, / And I did vow never to part with it, / But to my second husband.
A: You have parted with it now.
D : Yes, to help your eyesight.
A : You have made me stark blind.

Question 9

I.i. Duchess alabaster

Answer 9

D : This is flesh and blood sir, / ‘Tis not the figure cut in alabaster / Kneels at my husband’s tomb. Awake, awake, man!

Question 10

II.i. Antonio to Bosola

Answer 10

A : I do understand your inside

B : Do you so?

Question 11

II.v. Ferdinand learning about the Duchess giving birth

Answer 11

I have this night digged up a mandrake.

Question 12

II.v. Ferdinand’s sexual attraction to Duchess

Answer 12

Talk to me somewhat, quickly, / Or my imagination will carry me / To see her in the shameful act of sin.

Question 13

II.v. Ferdinand wish to kill

Answer 13

So. I will only study to seem / The think I am not. I could kill her now / In you, or in myself; for I do think / It is some sin in us heaven doth revenge / By her.

Question 14

III.i. Delio reunion with Antonio

Answer 14

[…] verily I should dream / I were within this half hour.

Question 15

III. v. Ferdinand’s letter

Answer 15

Send Antonio to me; I want his head in a business […] I had rather have his heart than his money.

Question 16

IV.i. Duchess about theatre

Answer 16

I account this world a tedious theater, / For I do play a part in’t ‘gainst my will.

Question 17

IV.i. Duchess stars

Answer 17

D: I could curse the stars […]

B : Look you, the stars shine still.

Question 18

IV.ii. Duchess to Cariola, tragedy

Answer 18

Discourse to me some dismal tragedy.

Question 19

IV.ii. Cariola about Duchess’s appearance

Answer 19

Like your picture in the gallery, / A deal of life in show but none in practice.

Question 20

IV.ii. Bosola to Duchess

Answer 20

Thou art a box of wormseed.

Question 21

IV.ii. Duchess last wish

Answer 21

I pray thee, look thou giv’st my little boy / Some syrup for his cold, and let the girl / Say her prayer ere she sleep.

Question 22

IV.ii. Ferdinand prolepsis

Answer 22

The wolf shall find her grave and scrape it up, / Not to devour the corpse, but to discover / The horrid murder.

Question 23

V.ii. Doctor about Ferdinand

Answer 23

[…] Only the difference / was, a wolf’s skin was hairy on the outside, / His on the inside.

Question 24

V.ii. Ferdinand to Malateste (shadow)

Answer 24

F: Look, what's that follow me?
M: Nothing, my lord. 
F: Yes! 
M: 'Tis your shadow. 
F: Stay it! Let it not haunt me!

Question 25

V.iv. Antonio dying

Answer 25

In all our quest of greatness / Like want boys, whose pastime is their care / We follow after bubbles blown in th’air.

Question 26

V.v. Cardinal to himself

Answer 26

When I look in the fishponds in my garden / Methinks I see a thing armed with a rake / That seems to strike at me.

Question 27

V.v. Bosola to Roderigo (end)

Answer 27

[…] and lastly for myself, / That was an actor in the main of all, / Much ‘gainst my own good nature, yet i’h’end, / Neglected.

Question 28

V.v. Delio (last words of play)

Answer 28

Integrity of life is fame’s best friend, / Which nobly, beyond death, shall crown the end.

Question 29

IV.i. Bosola about the pantomime

Answer 29

He doth present you this sad spectacle / That, now you now directly they are dead, / Hereafter you may wisely cease to grive / For that which cannot be recovered.

Question 30

V.iii. Antonio and echo

Answer 30

A: Echo, I will not talk with thee, / For thou art a dead thing.
E : Thou art a dead thing.

Question 31

III.ii. Ferdinand light

Answer 31

O most imperfect light of human reason / That mak’st us so unhappy to foresee

Question 32

III.ii. Duchess attempts to reason Ferdinand

Answer 32

Pray sir, hear me + I will plant my soul in mine ears to hear you

Question 33

I.i. Duchess about marriage contract

Answer 33

a contract in a chamber / Per verba di presenti is absolute marriage

Question 34

V.v. Bosola about no echo

Answer 34

We are only like dead walls or vaulted graves / That, ruined, yields no echo
+ In a mist