The Duchess of Malfi Chapter Summary & Analysis - Act 2, Scene 2 Summary

Act 2, Scene 2 Summary

In a hall in the palace, Bosola enters, gloating about his confirmed knowledge of the Duchess's pregnancy. An old lady enters and tells him she is in a hurry. Bosola engages her in more of his caustic banter, making it clear that he knows about the pregnancy. The old lady exits.

Antonio, Delio, Roderigo, and Grisolan enter. Antonio orders all the court gates shut and all officers of the court called. Grisolan goes to do these things, returning quickly with servants. In an aside, Bosola worries that the apricots were poisoned without his knowledge. Two servants joke together about a "French plot" and make crude jokes about a Swiss man being caught in the Duchess's chamber. Antonio tells the officers that jewels worth four thousand ducats have been stolen from the Duchess's cabinet; all officers are to be locked in their rooms until sunrise. Bosola challenges one of the servants...
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