power

Power Quotes — The Duchess of Malfi

Quote #1
In seeking to reduce both state and people
To a fixed order, their judicious king
Begins at home, quits first his royal palace
Of flatt'ring sycophants, of dissolute
And infamous persons […]
Consid'ring duly that a prince's court
Is like a common fountain, whence should flow
Pure silver drops in general, but if't chance
Some cursed example poison't near the head,
Death and diseases through the whole land spread.
(1.1.5-15)

Antonio describes the French court as a model of good government. The prince sets the moral tone by removing corruption from his palace, and the health of the state depends on the ruler’s integrity. This contrasts sharply with the corrupt Italian courts in the play, establishing a key theme: power’s legitimacy depends on the ruler’s virtue.

Quote #2
Methinks you that are courtiers should
be my touchwood, take fire when I give fire, that is, laugh
when I laugh, were the subject never so witty.
(1.1.120-122)

Ferdinand’s view of power contrasts with the French king’s. He demands courtiers mimic him slavishly rather than a reciprocal relationship. This shows his authoritarian and controlling nature, expecting his court to be a mirror of himself rather than an independent body.

Quote #3
He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked
over standing pools: they are rich, and o'erladen with fruit,
but none but crows pies and caterpillars feed on them.
(1.1.48-50)

Bosola critiques the Cardinal and Ferdinand’s corrupt rule. The metaphor of crooked trees over stagnant water implies they hoard wealth and power selfishly, poisoning the system instead of nourishing it, resulting in decay rather than growth.

Quote #4
[…] places in the court are but like beds in the hospital,
where this man's head lies at that man's foot, and so lower,
and lower.
(1.1.65-67)

Bosola describes court positions as unstable and precarious, like patients in a hospital lying on beds at different levels. Courtiers scramble over each other for advancement, reflecting social rot and ruthless competition.

Quote #5
Where he is jealous of any man he lays worse plots
for them than ever was imposed on Hercules, for he strews
in his way flatterers, panders, intelligencers, atheists, and a
thousand such political monsters.
(1.1.155-158)

Antonio condemns the Cardinal’s ruthless tactics to consolidate power, surrounding himself with sycophants and spies. The Cardinal embodies political corruption and moral decay within the church and state.

Quote #6
For know: an honest statesman to a prince
Is like a cedar planted by a spring;
The spring bathes the tree's root, the grateful tree
Rewards it with his shadow. You have not done so.
I would sooner swim to the Bermoothes
[…]
Than depend on so changeable a prince's favour!
(3.2.258-265)

Bosola criticizes the Duchess for removing Antonio from court, emphasizing that good governance is a mutual relationship between ruler and servant. This contrasts with the perverse, self-serving rule of the Cardinal and Ferdinand.

Quote #7
These factions amongst great men, they are like
Foxes: when their heads are divided
They carry fire in their tails, and all the country
About them goes to wrack for it.
(3.3.36-39)

Pescara warns that infighting among powerful nobles causes destruction to the realm. Instead of unity and order, the ruling class’s divisions bring chaos and ruin.

Quote #8
Much you had of land and rent,
Your length in clay's now competent;
A long war disturbed your mind,
Here your perfect peace is signed.
(4.2.172-174)

In the face of death, Bosola reminds the Duchess that all worldly power and property end in the grave. Titles and lands mean nothing in death, highlighting the futility of earthly power.

Quote #9
I am Duchess of Malfi still.
(4.2.134)

Despite her imprisonment and impending execution, the Duchess asserts her title and identity. This line can be seen as a proud assertion of dignity or as tragic clinging to a corrupt social order that imprisons her.

Quote #10
[…] in all our quest of greatness,
like wanton boys whose pastime is their care,
we follow after bubbles blown in the air.
(5.4.64-66)

Bosola reflects on the futility of ambition and power. The pursuit of greatness is childish and pointless, likened to chasing fragile bubbles that vanish—power is ultimately insubstantial and illusory.