Theme: Suffering

The Duchess's death - Suffering is part of providence: Providential forces - Said by Bosola when he is in disguise - The cleansing of sin by a disguised Bosola that he is acting as a disguised agent of providence (act 4, scene 2).

Twas to bring you by degrees to mortification

The Duchess's death - Suffering is part of providence: Providential forces - The Duchess forgiving her executioner before her execution - Emulating Jesus Christ in forgiving those who have sinned - Providence (act 4, scene 2).

I'd not be tedious to you

The Duchess's death - Suffering is part of providence: The Duchess's ability to die according to the laws of the Ars Moriendi in the face of suffering would suggest that suffering is part of providence - The Duchess is humbling herself as she kneels down - Avoiding one of the five temptations of the Ars Moriendi, spiritual pride (act 4, scene 2).

Heaven gates are not so highly arched

The Duchess's death - Suffering is part of providence: The Duchess's ability to die according to the laws of the Ars Moriendi in the face of suffering would suggest that suffering is part of providence - In the face of her impending execution, the Duchess has relinquished Vainglory - Part of the Ars Moriendi (act 4, scene 2).

What would it pleasure me to have my throat cut by diamonds, or to be smothered

The Duchess's death - Suffering is part of providence: The Duchess's ability to die according to the laws of the Ars Moriendi in the face of suffering would suggest that suffering is part of providence - The Duchess knows she is going to Heaven.

Who would be afraid on't knowing to meet such excellent company in th'other world

Ferdinand and the Cardinal: Just, divine punishment - Contrapasso - Ferdinand on Contrapasso - Divine suffering and just punishment (act 5, scene 5).

Like diamonds we are cut with our own dust

Ferdinand and the Cardinal: Ferdinand's lycanthropia - The doctor describing to Pescara Ferdinand's disease - Lycanthropia is a form of madness in Burton's anatomy - Ferdinand tried to drive the Duchess to madness but he is the one who becomes mad - Contrapasso (act 5, scene 2).

They call lycanthropia

Ferdinand and the Cardinal: Ferdinand's lycanthropia - Bosola on Ferdinand's lycanthropia - Referencing the aspect of Contrapasso as well (act 5, scene 2).

Mercy upon me what a fatal judgement hath fall'n upon this Ferdinand

Ferdinand and the Cardinal: The Cardinal's corruption of religion resulting in his divine punishment - The Cardinal using the Bible to poison Julia - Portraying the Cardinal as a corruptor of religion would be enjoyed by a protestant audience at the time - The cause of the Cardinal's suffering later for his religious crime (act 5, scene 1).

thou'rt poisoned with that book

Bosola's flawed redemption: At the mercy of providence - futility - Bosola expressing his feelings of futility in the face of providence - Webster is a sceptic here - The universe is chaotic and unloving (act 5, scene 4).

we are merely the stars' tennis balls struck and banded which way please them

Bosola's flawed redemption: The impossibility of repentance - Bosola acting as an agent of sin earlier within the play suggests that he may be too far gone for repentance.

Though I loath'd the evil, yet I lov'd you did counsel it

Bosola's flawed redemption: The impossibility of repentance - Whilst Bosola has enacted the revenge he set out to achieve, the act of revenge itself is un-Christian, and therefore Bosola is still at the mercy of providence - Still suffering (act 5, scene 5.5).

Now my revenge is perfect

Bosola's flawed redemption: Bosola forced into the protagonist role in a world of chaos - Chaos by design created by Webster? - Bosola vowing revenge on the Cardinal as he assumes the role of the avenger - The protagonist of the final act (act 5, scene 5).

Now I'll bring him to th'hammer

Bosola's flawed redemption: Bosola forced into the protagonist role in a world of chaos - Chaos by design created by Webster? - Bosola's vow to take revenge for the Duchess in the final lines of act 4 (act 4, scene 2) - Bosola being forced into the role of the protagonist, shouldering the burden of revenge and suffering as a result suggests the chaos of the universe within the play - Webster is a sceptic.

I will speedily enact worth my dejection