Hierarchy + Order - the Duchess of Malfi

“A prince’s court is like a common fountain, but if’t some cursed example poison’t near the head, death and diseases through the hole land spread”

• Antonio acknowledges the hierarchical nature of the court, if the hierarchy is broken then chaos ensues - links to chain of being

“Here comes Bosola, the only court-gall”

• Antonio discusses Bosola, a lower- class character who is disliked because he lacks wealth and political power and satirised as a character who speaks against the court - link to class roles

“Here comes the Great Duke of Calabria”

• Antonio introduces Ferdinand with an ironic title, establishing power dynamic - link to James I

“This was my father’s poniard. Do you see? I’d be loath to see’t look rusty cause twas his”

• Ferdinand reminds the Duchess of her wealthy family history - similar to that of Giovanna d’Aragona - using the poniard to represent wealth

“Methinks that you that are courtiers, should be my touchwood […] that is, laugh when I laugh”

• Ferdinand warns his courtiers not to act in a way that he wouldn’t - his authoritarian control over them is similar to that in Machiavelli’s “The Prince”

“It is fitting for a soldier to arise to be a prince but not necessary a prince descend to be a captain”

• Castruccio tells Ferdinand that people should rise to noble positions, rather than nobles debasing their social status

“A count? Here’s a mere stick of sugar candy!”

• The Duchess isn’t pleased with Count Malateste’s title - she argues that the title is illusory and he lacks power and legitimacy - link to James I

“But he was basely descended”

• While Bosola speaks well of Antonio, the Duchess portrays herself as a caricature of the aristocracy - looking down on him due to social class