deception corruption A03

Duchess of Malfi deceit and corruption in context

The theme of deceit is embodied by Bosola as he presents a Machiavellian attitude towards life: (according to Machiavelli writing, achieving success by any means);

→ shown when he accepts money to be a spy and exposes the Duchess’s secret marriage while he secretly respects it; a clear sign of deceit and hiding his true thoughts to gain higher status. 

This mirrors the corruption in the court during the 1st year of King James’ reign = he allowed 838 people to pay for the position of the knight → shows corruption and secrecy throughout court

corruption also shown with rules against priests engaging sexually and laws of premarital sex - cardinal and Julia.

the merchants tale deceit and corruption

• Satirical fabliau, where an omniscient narrator is able to create dramatic irony and comedy as the character’s deception and folly is clear to the audience 

• Chaucer criticises traditional ideals of marriage by showing how easily January’s idealistic attitude toward marriage can be manipulated 

• Through the sexual deception of May and blindness of January Chaucer also creates parody of courtly love, built on ideas of chivalry and nobility, which Chaucer satirises using sexual deception 

similarities of corruption and deciet contextually

1. Theme of Corruption and Deceit: Both Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales and Webster in The Duchess of Malfi explore corruption and deceit, criticizing societal flaws.

2. Corruption within Authority: Both works highlight corruption within those in positions of power, with Chaucer focusing on the clergy and Webster on political and royal figures.

3. Human Nature and Deceit: Both authors suggest that deceit is a universal human trait, often used for personal gain or survival.

4. Moral Critique: Both works offer a critique of the social systems of their time—Chaucer’s feudal society and Webster’s Jacobean court.

differences on corruption and deciet

chaucher is offerering criticism on the corruption of the feudal system and the great chain, whereas webster is presenting corruption of the the catholic church and jacobean court, this means Chaucer critiques religious and social hypocrisy (especially in the Church), while Webster focuses on the political and royal corruption in a secular, courtly setting

additionally, In Chaucer’s tales, deceit is often used as a tool for survival or personal gain in a morally lax society; in Webster’s tragedy, deceit leads to madness, destruction, and tragic downfall