Marriage

This document provides a series of quotes from The Duchess of Malfi focusing on marriage, highlighting the tensions between individual desire, societal expectations, and family control. The quotes explore themes of autonomy, gender roles, class, and rebellion against tradition. The analysis sheds light on character motivations and the play’s broader critique of social norms.

Key Takeaways

• The Duchess asserts her independence through her marriage, defying societal and familial constraints.

• Marriage is portrayed both as a site of personal empowerment and social conflict.

• Gender roles and expectations around courtship are reversed or challenged by the Duchess.

• The brothers’ attempts to control the Duchess’s marriage reflect concerns about lineage, honor, and patriarchal authority.

• Marriage is linked to identity, status, and power struggles in the play.

Quote Analysis

Quote #1:

Duchess:
“Diamonds are of most value,
They say, that have passed through most jewellers' hands.” (1.1.92-93)

Analysis:
The Duchess compares women’s value to diamonds, suggesting that marriage (being “handled” by suitors) increases their worth. This reflects societal views of women as commodities but also hints at her awareness of her own desirability and power within these constraints.

Quote #2:

Cardinal:
“No, nor any thing without the addition, honour,
Sway your high blood.”
Ferdinand:
“Marry? They are most luxurious
Will wed twice.” (1.1.288-291)

Analysis:
The brothers emphasize the importance of marrying within one’s class and maintaining “honour.” Marriage is tied to bloodline purity and social standing, contrasting sharply with the Duchess’s more individualistic and rebellious view of marriage.

Quote #3:

Duchess:
“If all my royal kindred
Lay in my way unto this marriage
I'd make my love foot-steps,
…so I, through frights and threat'nings will assay
This dangerous venture.” (1.1.333-345)

Analysis:
The Duchess shows bold defiance, framing her marriage as a courageous act against oppressive family control. Her use of heroic, almost masculine imagery highlights her agency and willingness to challenge societal norms.

Quote #4:

Duchess:
“The misery of us that are born great,
We are forced to woo because none dare woo us:
…we
Are forced to express our violent passions
In riddles and in dreams…” (1.1.433-440)

Analysis:
Here, the Duchess laments how her high status isolates her from suitors, forcing her to take on an active, masculine role in courtship. This reverses traditional gender roles and emphasizes the personal cost of aristocratic privilege.

Quote #5:

Duchess:
“I do here put off all vain ceremony
And only do appear to you a young widow
That claims you for her husband; and like a widow,
I use but half a blush in't.” (1.1.448-451)

Analysis:
The Duchess rejects formal, rigid social conventions around marriage, asserting her sexual experience and desire openly. This challenges the era’s expectation of female modesty and passivity in marriage.

Quote #6:

Antonio:
“These words should be mine,
And all the parts you have spoke, if some part of it
Would not have savoured flattery.” (1.1.464-466)

Analysis:
Antonio acknowledges the Duchess’s dominant role in their relationship, highlighting the reversal of typical courtship dynamics. This further stresses the Duchess’s agency and the subversion of traditional gender expectations.

Quote #7:

Duchess:
“You get no lodging here tonight my lord.
Antonio: Indeed I must persuade one.
Duchess: Very good.
I hope in time 'twill grow into a custom
That noblemen shall come with cap and knee
To purchase a night's lodging of their wives.” (3.2.2-6)

Analysis:
This playful exchange mocks traditional gender roles, suggesting a future where women hold authority over men in marriage. The Duchess’s humor reflects her challenge to patriarchal norms.

Quote #8:

Duchess:
“For know, whether I am doomed to live, or die,
I can do both like a prince.” (3.2.68-69)

Analysis:
The Duchess asserts her political and personal autonomy, equating her strength and dignity to that of a prince. This defies the expectation that women must be submissive and underscores her self-determination in marriage and life.

Quote #9:

Duchess:
“Why should only I
Of all the other princes of the world
Be cased up like a holy relic? I have youth,
And a little beauty.” (3.2.136-139)

Analysis:
She questions why she must remain chaste and controlled while other royals enjoy freedom. This highlights the double standards faced by women, especially regarding sexuality and marriage.

Quote #10:

Duchess:
“You violate a sacrament o'th'Church
Shall make you howl in hell for't.” (4.1.38-39)

Analysis:
The Duchess defends her secret marriage as sacred, invoking religious authority against her brothers. This shows her conviction and the moral complexity around marriage, loyalty, and family control.

1. Marriage as Core Conflict

   • The play opens with Stanley’s loud call to Stella, showing their relationship’s central role:
     “[bellowing] Hey there! Stella, Baby!” (1.1)

2. Mutual Adoration

   • Stella’s affectionate desire to be close to Stanley:
     “Can I come watch?” (1.8)

3. Love Blinds Stella to Differences

   • Stella admits her love makes Stanley hard to describe:
     “Yes. A different species.”
     “Oh, you can’t describe someone you’re in love with!” (1.146-8)

4. Intense Attachment

   • Stella’s dependence on Stanley’s presence borders on madness:
     “I can hardly stand it when he is away for a night…”
     “When he’s away for a week I nearly go wild!”
     “And when he comes back I cry on his lap like a baby…” (1.161-6)

5. Blanche Disrupts Their Dynamic

   • Stanley resents Blanche’s influence over Stella:
     “Since when do you give me orders?” (2.70-1)

6. Admiration for Stanley’s Drive

   • Stella praises Stanley’s ambition and vitality:
     “No. Stanley’s the only one of his crowd that’s likely to get anywhere.”
     “It isn’t on his forehead and it isn’t genius.”
     “It’s a drive that he has.” (3.68-76)

7. Love Mixed with Violence

   • Despite their fights, Mitch recognizes Stanley and Stella are "crazy about each other":
     “They’re crazy about each other.” (3.205-6)

8. Stanley’s Control Over Marriage

   • Stanley controls the money, emphasizing his dominance:
     “Stanley doesn’t give me a regular allowance, he likes to pay bills himself.” (4.79)

9. Marriage as Power and Control

   • Stanley asserts power over Blanche through his marriage:
     “Stella has embraced him with both arms, fiercely… He laughs and clasps her head to him. Over her head he grins through the curtains at Blanche.” (4.126)

10. Blanche’s Desire for Security

    • Blanche longs for safety and rest, not passion, through marriage:
      “I want to rest! I want to breathe quietly again! Yes – I want Mitch… very badly! Just think! If it happens! I can leave here and not be anyone’s problem…” (5.85-7)