Duchess of Malfi// love, male authority, marriage quotes

Duchess - diamonds and remarriage

'Diamonds are of most value They say, that have passed through most jewellers' hands.'

- she gives a declarative, to give her opinion on re-marriage, tackling sexist views of women in the 17th century

Duchess telling Antonio she sent for him

'I sent for you. Sit down.'

- asserts authority and possibly even assuming a more masculine role than Antonio - challenges gender roles by exercising her power

Stage direction to show the Duchess' power in her relationship with Antonio. She takes physical control

'[She puts her ring upon his finger]'

Ferdinand judges women's sexual actions by using derogatory language.

'Whores, by that rule, are precious'

Antonio using light imagery to describe Duchess

'She stains the time past, lights the time to come'

Ferdinand is insistent he knows of the Duchess' sexual liasions, however declares he will not taken action until he knows who.

'Till I know who leaps my sister, I'll not stir'

The Duchess' act of hamartia heightens her naivety, as she is tricked into good relations with Ferdinand

'This deadly air is purged'

The Duchess uses a male role to declare her nobility when talking to Ferdinand. This decreases her strength as woman, or alternatively proves her individual power.

'whether I am doomed to live, or die/ I can do both like a prince'

The Duchess asserts, or at least attempts to, her power by declaring her role to Bosola (

'I am Duchess of Malfi still'

Julia is flirtatious with Bosola, acting against the Cardinal's wishes and against the expected behaviour of a woman in the Jacobean period. She uses a declarative and first person pronouns to indicate her desires.

'The only remedy to do me good/ Is to kill my desire'

duchess saying how she needs to woo

The misery of us that are born great!We are forced to woo because none dare woo us;

Cardinal uses animalistic language toward Julia to act as her falconer

You may thank me, lady.I have taken you off your melancholy perch,Bore you upon my fist, and showed you game,And let you fly at it

Duchess stating that she has no control over her own life - acknowledging that she is subject to male authority against her will

- she has no control in a masculine world

I account this world a tedious theatre,For I do play a part in't 'gainst my will.

Ferdinand doesn't see Duchess as an independent person - rather she is PART of him

- To Ferdinand, the Duchess isn't really a free, thinking human being so much as she is a vessel for his bloodline.

- This is also blasphemous

'Damn her, that body of hers, While that my blood ran pure in't, was more worth Than that which thou wouldst comfort, called a soul.'

Duchess asking for women to look after her body

'Dispose my breath how please you, but my body Bestow upon my women: will you?'