" There Are Too Many Inconsistencies in Webster's Plays. Do You Agree?
Summary:
"The Duchess of Malfi" is an example of a Jacobean revenge tragedy. The Jacobean age was one of questioning and uncertainty about many issues, such as religion, politics and law. The play itself had often been criticised as being weak, confusing, and illogical, containing many inconsistencies within characterisation, plot and structure.
"The Duchess of Malfi" is an example of a Jacobean revenge tragedy. The Jacobean age was one of questioning and uncertainty about many issues, such as religion, politics and law. Webster uses the form of revenge tragedy for much more than just its entertainment value; he has used it as a tool for the exploration of themes relevant to society of the time.
Webster based his plot on a true story set in Italy. The use of foreign settings allows Webster to explore ideas such as inequality, injustice, and corruption, these ideas were common perceptions of Italy by the English public at the time.
The play itself had often been criticised as being weak, confusing, and illogical, containing many inconsistencies within characterisation, plot and structure. One discrepancy within "The Duchess of Malfi" is the way in which Webster uses time and place. Many critics believe the duchess to be about nineteen years old when the play begins, yet in act one she has already had a child by her first, deceased husband. Similarly, the marriage of Antonio and the duchess takes place at the end of Act I, yet At the beginning of Act II Antonio tells Delio that there has been a lapse of time, possibly about a year allowing the duchess to have her second child by Antonio. The changes in time are also emphasised by the cardinals changing profession, from priest to soldier. The passing of time can be seen to accent the dramatic development of the play, in that it allows the story to develop at pace.
There are various random and unrealistic plot twists within the Duchess of Malfi, for example Act II scene II when Bosola exchanges words with the old lady, used purely as a tool to develop Bosola's character as the malcontent. The old lady is merely insulted by Bosola, and used to highlight the insignificance of women of the time "you are still abusing women" - the old lady. Another bizarre plot twist is Ferdinands' development of lycanthropia - a disease that turns him into a werewolf, and his sudden madness. Ferdinands' madness has an affect on the plot as it provides much entertainment for the audience, for example the exchange between Ferdinand and the doctor in Act V scene II.
The way in which Webster uses unexplained actions, such as the inclusion of Julia, is an inconsistency within the Duchess of Malfi. Julia is married to Castrucio, but is having an affair with the Cardinal. She holds a small role within the play, and her inclusion seems to be vague and unnecessary. She is used as a tool that highlights the Cardinal's perception of women, and is considered the "tart." The way in which she is perceived highlights the idea that her marriage to Castrucio was centred around his wealth.
A common complaint regarding the Duchess of Malfi is the excessive vulgarity, which seems to have no clear message or purpose. Ferdinand's suggested desire for his sister- the duchess can be seen when he uses language informed by sex, and states;
"This was my father's poniard; do you see"
I'd be loath to see't look rusty,"
Similarly, Bosola's conversation with the old lady, and the inclusion of Julia as a character all pay reference to sex.
Coincidence plays a large role within "The duchess of Malfi." Many events and ideas of the play rely upon it. An example of this is when Julia reveals her love for Bosola, straight after the Cardinal conveniently reveals he no longer desires her.
"I am weary of her and by no means would be quit off"
This sense of coincidence makes the play less appealing and enhances the inconsistencies within it.
Act V sc. V is the concluding scene, and highlights the lack of coherence within the play. In this scene there are an excessive amounts of deaths, withdrawing focus from the dramatic conclusion of the play. This melodramatic ending becomes almost humorous, as even a servant is unceremoniously killed. Similarly, the Duchesses son from her first marriage to the duke of Malfi should rightly take control over the state after her death, yet it is her son by Antonio whom Delio, coincidentally enters with after Antonio's death at the end of the play. Many critics believe that Webster uses this as a last criticism of the corrupt court of Malfi. In a play full of misguided judgements the final injustice is that the wrong son inherits the throne.
The way in which the Duchess of Malfi is structured goes against the strict conventions and ideas used by writers in the Elizabethan period. Many playwrights demanded consistency in terms of the plot, and the times and places which were involved. There is no consistency with regards to these three elements in "The Duchess of Malfi." Webster's Manipulation of the five act structure is highlighted through the use of many sub-plots, such as events in Loretto and Julia's affair with the cardinal, similarly the action is not confined to one place, and takes play in Milan, Loretto, Amalfi and Rome. His abandonment of these conventions leads to sometimes vague and imprecise ideas being produced.
The Duchess of Malfi is a play filled with flaws, it can be viewed that these flaws and plot twists assist the entertainment for the audience and are highly amusing, for example Ferdinands Madness. However, some elements of the plot for example Ferdinand's development of lycanthropia are highly Bizarre and serve little purpose. Similarly the subplots and less significant characters such as Julia, the old lady and various courtiers can lead to confusion and in places distract from the main plot. Therefore within "The Duchess of Malfi" the inconsistencies within the play can be seen to serve little dramatic purpose.
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