Women in TDOM Flashcards
What do the characters of the Duchess and Julia represent?
They represent the divergent paths to power women could take in the early seventeenth century.
How do they both combat/uphold social norms of a patriarchal society?
The Duchess only maintaining power through title and Julia through sex
Rebellion towards brothers
‘So I through frights and threatening will assay/This dangerous venture.’
How is Julia’s promiscuity turned into something positive?
Covert dissatisfaction with husband’s ability perform sexually, she seeks her pleasure elsewhere which also makes her attractive to other men due to her promiscuity. Hence, this allows Julia to be in control of her own sex life and getting what she wants through the use of her own body.
How does Julia and the Duchess differ?
Duchess - Uses her authoritative title first to gain control, and ultimately uses her ability to reproduce for her own pleasure.
Julia is just as straightforward as the Duchess when achieving what she wants: as demonstrated in her confrontation scene in Act 5 in which she declares that he tell her everything he knows/threatens him with a pistol. This scene turns into one of sexual desire when they both express concern of getting caught
What does Julia demonstrate through her confrontation with Bosola?
Julia proclaims if caught wooing him by the Cardinal he will not judge Bosola, instead she will be seen as a ‘wanton’.
Julia has clear understanding that if she gets caught she will be scrutinised more in patriarchal world because women seen as irrational/highly immoral; in contrast to males who could easily get away with controversial issues. While Julia understands the potential consequences of her boldness, she still has the courage to explicably flirt and ask Bosola for his affection in return.
‘I am sudden with you./ We that are great women of pleasure,)
Why is Julia murdered and how is this ironic?
The cardinal poisons her by having her kiss a poisoned Bible - reasons were that she would not be able to keep her mouth shut/therefore lost purpose being useful when she was only there for his sexual pleasure - exhibiting unfeminine attributes of curiosity and not being submissive - lost her purpose to him and thus she was killed further illustrating the problem.
For know, whether I am doomed to live or die,/ I can do both like a prince’
Asserts authority before torture - last form of defiance against misogyny
What is the most important thing about these 2 characters?
Both of these women displayed different forms of control over their lives and decisions - reflects his opposing view of marriage and of women being seen as objects. His depictions of these controversial women achievement of power helped change women’s idealised role of submission, to a more realistic view of women and they to have a right to power in some way even not only in stories but even in real life.
Duchess as a ‘strumpet (Act 43)
Ferdinand thinks of her as Renaissance stereotype ‘lusty widow’
What is the Old Lady’s function at court?
Widwife - for the Duchess
What other character does the Old Lady’s defiance link to?
The Duchess - ‘It seems you are well acquainted with my closet’
[To Castruchio] ‘Your wife’s gone to Rome’
Foreshadows affair between Julia and Cardinal
Castruchio constantly refers to Julia?
Foreshadows cheating link to Januarie constantly referring to May as ‘fresh May’
What does TDOM say about female appetite for sexual appetite?
TDOM: It is the springboard for chaos of the story - sacrifice long term safety for short term satisfaction - failure
TMT - It is punishment against senex amans - success
