The Duchess of Malfi Chapter Summary & Analysis - Act 3, Scene 4 Summary

Act 3, Scene 4 Summary

At the Shrine of Our Lady of Loretto, two pilgrims are talking about the upcoming ceremony in which the Cardinal will resign his position to become a soldier. Without dialogue, the Cardinal's ceremony is enacted, followed by an enactment of the banishment, by the Cardinal and the state of Ancona, of Antonio, the Duchess, and their children. During these unspoken enactments, churchmen sing a solemn song. After all but the two pilgrims exit, the pilgrims discuss the ceremony and the banishment. The pilgrims voice surprise that the Duchess would have married such a lowly man, but declare that the Cardinal's cruelty was out of proportion. The men also report that the Cardinal has convinced the Pope to confiscate all of the Duchess's property and they lament Antonio's great misfortune.

Act 3, Scene 4 Analysis

Here the two pilgrims and various churchmen serve as a sort of Greek chorus, commenting as impartial outsiders on the mounting...
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