“The play explores the boundaries of acceptable behaviour in an unequal but changing society.” How far would you apply this comment to both The Duchess of Malfi and A Streetcar Named Desire?

Inequality/Expectations

Introduction

• Agree - Both tell tragic stories of rise and fall of Blanche & Duchess

• Playwrights able to identify nuances of inequality & fluidity in acceptable behaviour as they consistently contrast the behaviour of protagonists & enemies

• Shows boundaries of acceptable behaviour is largely SUBJECTIVE

P1 - Great shifts in Class structures shown as previously unacceptable behaviour becomes central to storyline (TDOM)

Antonio & Duchess’ marriage → Beauty of unity between those of different status, Webster’s message that aristocrats & politicians often corrupt/unworthy of their positions of power as they abuse institutions at their disposal whilst those of lower status in court show capability to be noble & just

1. Antonio believes its his job as courtier to tell his superior what they “ought to forsee” → Has insight & capability, not become corrupted, not acting in own interest as many of the “flattering sycophants” do around him

2. “[antonio] owned [the duchess’s] before he thought to vouch safe for the keys” → Close bond shown during marriage, didn’t seek out marriage for courtly/monetary gain but due to love

3. Duchess rules the kingdom and Antonio is “the master in the bedroom”→ Breaking down stark class barriers as Webster suggests that occupation/poison shouldn’t be able to pervert course of love/impact how humans see each other beneath societies constructions of inequality

AO3 - Radical demonstration of love similar to that of Lady Arabella’s, whose legacy as a royal who took a secret husband within Wester’s lifetime —> Webster challenging boundaries of society already beginning to shift

P2 - Destruction of class boundaries (ASND)

Stanley is given power in play

1. Stanley is “king around here” → Yet he is a child of immigrants & WC

AO3: Directly describes destruction of deep south in US to make way for new individualistic, hedonistic & more ‘equal’ new US eg…

1. Stanley “tore down Stella from those high columns & how she loved those flashing lights” → Visual imagery of Stella falling so far in status, Connotations of white columns holding up Belle Reve shows previous structures keeping workers & slaves oppressed was being rightfully destroyed & replaced with excitement of “coloured lights” eg. new America filled with leisure, dance halls & Hollywood movies

AO5: Michael Billington “direct response to late 1940s America”

Exploration of shift in attitudes lead to some controversial interpretation of acceptable behaviour

1. Rape of Blanche by “100% American” Stanley → Example of completely abhorrent behaviour becoming symbolically acceptable, Shows removal of oppressive aspects of South labelling immigrants & WC “filthy”, “apeish”, “brutes” & “pigs”

AO5: Harold Clurman said Stanley’s actions “stripped Blanche of her psychological, sexual and cultural identity” → Truthfully, ultimate act of destruction outside of death would have been revered by many as the positive disembowelment of archaic social structures in South

AO3: Moment applauded during original performance → Ultimate dissonance by showing loss of morals during journey of ‘American Dream’ & new normality of brutal demise of those that have thrived off economic power in past

AO4 Judgement - Destruction of class boundaries

• Both address positives of greater acknowledgement of all people regardless of status & how it changed behaviour at time

• BUT Williams specifically confronts comfortability of how that behaviour manifested into smth undesirable (possibly due to own sympathy of South)

P3 - HOWEVER Changing society remains sometimes stagnant by exacerbating for women through their subjugation (TDOM & ASND)

Hedonistic control by men seen through Cardinal

AO5 - Though greater equality between classes has been displayed, Feminist perspective argues ultimate inequality suffered by women

1. Despite being man of cloth, Cardinal takes part in bribes “as if God himself coudln’t see it, Ferdinand ordering others “to laugh when I laugh” → Clear drunkeness on power

2. Stanley as role as ‘King’ must cast out Blanche as he states “we had this date from the beginning” → Premediation of his plan to eject Blanche

AO4 - Whilst the women may not believe they aren’t being controlled/subject to patriarchy as Duchess marries Antonio & Blanche has multiple sexual encounters, societal power is given to men whether legally authorised in TDOM or socially accepted in ASND thereby women aren’t free from whims of men

Acceptable for men to do as they please (Killing Duchess at will & manipulating situation so Blanche who is victim is removed rather than Stanley) as both play end with resolution that men still dominate

1. Stanley soothes Stella by "saying “now honey, now love” while touching her breast → Stanley has control of every aspect of her & hence her world

2. TDOM revolves around a “hopeful young gentlemen” that will gain control of land

AO4 - Both ending condone behaviour of men

AO4 Judgement - Changing society is stagnant due to continued inequality for women

• Both plays equally explore changes & inconsistencies in unequal societies

• Both have fluctuating acceptable boundaries of behaviour regulated only by those who is perceived to have control of society & individual situations