Social class

In the opening line, Delio sets the atmosphere, using costume to imply characters are of a high social class. Interestingly, however, Antonio then goes onto criticise the classes above him. (A1S1)

'and you return/ A very formal Frenchman in your habit'

Antonio opens the play by reflecting a negative view on the higher class members of the court. Aware of their capacity for corruption, he uses pejorative diction. This contrasts interestingly to 'Streetcar', where Blanche (a high class female) enters to a setting with those socially below her. (A1S1)

'a prince's court/Is like a common fountain... Some cursed example poison't near the head'

Ferdinand uses an unmitigated declarative to remind the Duchess of her social status, and to prevent her from 'poisonin[ing her] fame. (A1S1)

'You live in a rank pasture here, i'th'court'

Bosola's choice of diction to describe his work for the Cardinal creates sympathy from the reader. This enforces the idea that lower classes are subject to the higher classes' power. (A1S1)

'I fell into the galleys in your service'

The Duchess is able to assert authority over Antonio, through the use of unmitigated imperatives, as result of her high role in court. (A1S1)

'Sit down:/ Take pen and ink and write'

Ferdinand asserts control over Roderigo and Grisolan by undermining them with an interrogative and then declaring that they are to behave as he does. (A1S1)

'Why do you laugh?... take fire, when I give fire, that is, laugh when I/ laugh'

The stage direction which presents the Duchess' and Antonio's marriage. The Duchess shows the reader that love may conquer issues of social status and unite different classes (however this is challenged as their relationship is attacked and eventually broken) (A1S1)

'[She puts her ring upon his finger]'

Using a declarative, the Cardinal manipulates Julia and reminds her of his status above her. His use of 'I have' depicts his self-pride. (A2S4)

'I have taken you off your melancholy perch'

Antonio's choice of diction to describe the common people (who have claimed the Duchess is a prostitute, alike Stanley of Blanche in Streetcar) depicts a sense of superiority, perhaps gained with his new status. (A3S1)

'The common rabble do directly say/ She is a strumpet'

The Duchess attempts to challenge her status in society through the use of an interrogative to Ferdinand. As a female, she is below her brothers in the 'chain of being' and thus must act to their social demands. (A3S2)

'Why might I not marry?'

Delio tells of Bosola's intelligence. The premodification of 'fantastical' heightens our pity for Bosola, who is low down on the hierarchical scale of being, showing that even the wise are corrupted by the upper class. This is similar to our feelings towards Blanche, who we discover once taught English. (A3S4)

'a fantastical scholar'

Julia uses diction with connotations of a lack of wealth to emphasise her social class, which is below that of Pescara. (A5S1)

'My lord, I am grown your poor petitioner,/ And should be an ill beggar'

Bosola attempts to absolve himself from guilt over Antonio's death. His line may offer an outlook that all humans, no matter what social class, exist for the same purpose. (A5S2)

'We are merely the stars' tennis balls, struck and banded/ Which way please them'