power/abuse of power in malfi

1, Antonio’s lexical chain of corruption

“flattering sycophants…some cursed example poison’t near the head”

1, Ferdinand addressing the courtiers

“laugh when I laugh”

1, Bosola describing Cardinal and Ferdinand (rotting motif)

“He and his brothers are like plun trees,…rich and o’erladen with fruit, but none but crows pies and caterpillars feed on them”

1, Bosola describing the Cardinal’s tendencies

“Where he is jealous of any man he lays worse plots for them than ever was imposed”

1, Bosola describing the outcome of his labour

“Only the reward of doing well is the doing of it”

4, Bosola’s description of Cardinal and Ferdinand's HEARTS (spoken to Ferdoinand)

“You have a pair of hearts are hollow graves, rotten and rotting others…your vengeance”

1,1 Bosola dehumanizing himself in the face of power

"I am your creature”

Duchess maintaining power in the face of corruption

“I am the Duchess of Malfi still”

1,1 Duchess’ strong belief in her own power

“Do not think of them…time will easily…scatter the tempest”

5,2 Cardinal’s corruption of power through killing Julia

“Come, I will swear you to’t upon this book…I have bound thee to’t by death”