Duchess

“her days are practiced in such noble virture”

“let all sweet ladies break their flattering glasses and dress themselves in her”

• AO3 full length mirror - vulnerability, allows for full perspective of one’s self, flattery or self-criticism

• Duchess as a role model to all women

“her very sleeps are more in heaven than other ladies’ shrifts”

• Heavenly imagery

“she stains the time past, lights the time to come”

• Light imagery - pure, innocent & provides hope for a corrupt society

• Characterised as emblem of good & morality

• Light up pathway for others on how to live their lives- illumination & guidance

“diamonds are of most value they say, that have past through most jeweller’s hands”

“I winked and chose a husband”

“For I am going into a wilderness, where I shall find nor path..to be my guide”

• Journey/travel metaphor - going into the unknown

• Diverting from the expected life path set by patriarchy - radical & bold

“this is flesh and blood. Tis not the figure cut in alabaster kneels at my husband’s tomb”

“a fearful madness. I owe her much pity”

• Cariola - acts as social mouthpiece that women should know their place in society

• Proleptic, cautionary tale

• Respect & solidarity for Duchess but deep down she knows the inevitable consequences that will come

“though lust do mask in never so strange disguise, she’s often found witty but never wise”

• Bosola after finding out about Duchess & Antonio child

• Proleptic of Duchess’ tragic downfall for pursuing female sexuality & autonomy

“When I choose a husband, I will marry for your honour”

• To Ferdinand

• Dramatic irony - we know at this point that she’s married Antonio

• Playing him as much as he’s playing her, witty & intelligent

“whether I am doomed to live or die, I can do both like a prince”

• AO3 topicality - Elizabeth 1st subversion of gender norms

• Powerful - acknowledging her fate, autonomous

“your shears do come ultimately now to clip the bird’s wings that’s already flown”

• To Ferdinand after he’s found out about her marriage

• Bird metaphor

“I have not gone about in this to create any new world or custom”

• Reflects revenge tragedy genre - revenge outweighs initial event

• Proleptic - sets a new precedent for women to marry low ranking men

• Subverts the dynastic chain of being AO3

“Why should only I of all the other princes of the world be cased up like a holy relic?”

• Museum metaphor - confinement, on display

• Calling out gender equalities, proto-feminist

“Were I a man I’d beat that counterfeit face into thy other!”

• Gender inequalities of era