Family / Marriage

The Duchess’ description of marriage - prolepsis of the Duchess' later imprisonment; corruption of the family deserves the highest punishment- A1, S1

"The marriage night Is the entrance into some prison"

Obsession with bloodlines; links to "whore's blood" quote- (A2, S5)- Ferdinand

"Shall our blood, The royal blood of Aragon and Castile, Be thus attainted? [...] to purge infected blood, such blood as hers."

The Duchess- Feigning dedication to her family that was expected of her in the patriarchal Jacobean society; fraternal dominance depicted as damaging / negative- (A3, S1)

"When I choose A husband, I will marry for your honour."

Ferdinand likens himself to husband (incestual links); accuses her of corrupting her previous marriage as well as her relationship with her brothers"

"And thou hast ta'en that massy sheet of lead That hid thy husband's bones, and folded it About my heart." (3.2)

Ferdinand telling Bosola about the blood of the Duchess- (A4, S1)

"Damn her, that body of hers, While that my blood ran pure in't"

Said after she sees her own coffin, still feigning loyalty to her brothers; accuses them of betrayal / corrupting the court- (A4, S2)

"I have so much obedience in my blood I wish it in their veins to do them good." (4.2)

Duchess has a better relationship with strangers than with her own brothers; links to Bosola's role as the malcontent; corrupted family ties (perhaps due to Ferdinand's incestual desire?)- A4, S2

"That kindred commonly do worse agree Than remote strangers."

Ferdinand's biological nephews are stripped of humanity; illustrates Ferdinand's madness / cruelty; sees children as a potential threat to his power- (A4, S2)

"The death Of young wolves is never to be pitied"