Summary:
"The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster follows the story of an upper class, dysfunctional family who resort to torture, deception and murder in order to gain what they desire, whether it be love or social standing.
"The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster follows the story of an upper class, dysfunctional family who resort to torture, deception and murder in order to gain what they desire, whether it be love or social standing. Written in the renaissance, "The Duchess of Malfi" is considered Webster's "masterpiece" and is charactersitic of Jacobean drama. It explores the ideas of corruption within the high places of state and church. Set in Italy, it highlights common misconceptions regarding the country as a place full of vice and villainy.
Two of the central characters within the play are Ferdinand and the cardinal. Ferdinand, is the twin brother of the Duchess. He is as emotional as his brother, yet he displays his feeling in a different way to the Cardinal's cold reaction. Ferdinand's motivation is questionable, we have heard him use language informed by sex. This can be perceived as his own desire for his sister. Within act II sc V, Ferdinand's reaction to his sister's relationship perhaps signifies his incestuous and unfulfilled intentions.
The Cardinal is the brother of the Duchess and Ferdinand, and is as cold and calculating, as Ferdinand is excitable. He is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, but he does not live the life of a Christian saint: he has a mistress; he hires spies and murderers; and, he does not seem to have any religious duties or religious thought. The Cardinal is the quiet force behind the plotting against the Duchess. It is his idea to hire Bosola to spy on her.
Within act II sc V we see the brothers anguish over their sister. Ferdinand makes wild accusations regarding his sister and her recent actions - this angers the Cardinal and he looses patience with his brothers such extreme views. Bosola's letter together with the horoscope is discussed by the pair. Ferdinand becomes increasingly unrestrained in his anger to a point where the cardinal, initially sympathetic, complains that he is being irrational;
"How idly shows this rage,"
This highlights the difference between the two brothers, Ferdinand has a tendency to be irrational and uncontrolled whereas his brother, the cardinal is more restrained. Similarly the way in which the cardinal is cautious is shown when he asks Ferdinand to "speak lower." He is concerned people will hear, and selfishly, worries about his status and the families honour. In terms of the relationship between the characters, this indicates how the cardinal undertakes a paternalistic and authoritative role.
The language employed by Ferdinand to portray his anger is graphic,
"Till of her bleeding heart I make a sponge To wipe it out."
Here he is describing how he will use her heart to wipe the impurity off her body. The Cardinal is bemused by the extent of Ferdinand's rage and is shocked by his behaviour. In contrast he cannot understand why he has reacted in this way.
Within Act II scene V we see Ferdinand express his emotion towards his sister, when in line twenty-eight he begins to cry. This creates a contrast to the extreme behaviour that has come before. Throughout his rage and fury there is an implication of love, however unconventional it may seem. Ferdinand expresses a more caring side for the duchess throughout the play, which may be a reflection upon the fact that they are twins, and so have a unique bond. His emotional reaction relates to the theme of appearance Vs reality in that he is unable to see the evil within her, supported by the quote,
"It is some sin in us heaven doth revenge"
Ferdinand's own insecurities are touched upon within Act II scV when he lists the type of man he believes the duchess has had affairs with. All the men he mentions are lower class yet physically strong, for example "Strong-thighed bargeman." This can be seen to emphasis Ferdinand's own failings and vulnerability.
The way in which the Cardinal reacts to the news of his sister can be seen to be a reflection on how Elizabethan people felt the Catholic Church was like. He reacts in a way which shows little care or concern for the Duchess, and his commission of Bosola to murder her, shows that his corruption is so powerful that it leads to a brother murdering his own sister. The idea of the church, and those work within it being rotten to the core, is highly apparent within this scene.
In conclusion, within Act II sc. V we see the difference of personality between the Cardinal and Ferdinand. The extent of Ferdinand's feelings towards his sister are highlighted, yet the Cardinals reaction provokes the impression that he has little feelings for his sister and is only concerned about himself and what he can gain from her death. This scene highlights the relationship between the two characters, and emphasises the idea that the Cardinal is the more authoritative of the two. This scene illustrates that the Cardinal uses Ferdinand in the same way that Ferdinand uses Bosola. As an aid to better themselves. Therefore within At II scene V it can be said that the main attributes of the Cardinal and Ferdinand are highlighted and extended upon in order to develop them as central characters.
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