ALL important quotes from The Duchess of Malfi Act 1 with DETAILED explanations and notes from an A* student! A comprehensive guide to everything you will need to know for your A Level English Literature exam :)
Act 1, scene 1
- Antonio says of the French court “I admire it”, as “a prince’s court is like a com-
mon fountain” where “pure silver drops” should flow
• An ideal court should spread goodness throughout a country
• Praise of the French court sets up a comparison to the Italian court which audi-
ences of the time associated with sophisticated corruption, and the extent of
this corruption is revealed throughout the play
- Antonio says that if the leaders of a country are corrupt, “death and diseases
through the whole land spread”
• He knows that the court is susceptible to poisoning by corruption
• Foreshadows the abuse of power by corrupt leaders (Ferdinand and the Cardi-
nal) which drives the events of the play
- Antonio describes Bosola as a “court-gall”
• Bosola satirizes and speaks against the court, but only because he lacks the
wealth and power to truly participate
- The Cardinal is extremely dismissive of Bosola “So.”, “You enforce your merit too
much.”
• The Cardinal tries to preserve his image by ignoring and not associating with
Bosola
• This is an early indication of his corruption
• There is also the implication here that the Cardinal ordered Bosola to commit
the murder that landed him in the galleys
- Bosola says that the Cardinal is “able to possess the greatest devil and make him
worse”
• Raises questions about the Cardinal’s validity as a powerful religious figure
1
, - Bosola describes the Cardinal and Ferdinand as like “plum trees that grow
crooked over standing pools”, which only “crows, pies and caterpillars” feed on
• Disturbing imagery and bad omens
• Hints at the sinister nature of the Cardinal and Ferdinand
- Bosola laments that his life is an endless cycle of hope and disappointment, ask-
ing “What creature ever fed worse than hoping Tantalus?”
• Tantalus is the mythological son of Zeus who was tortured in Hades, food and
water would appear before his eyes but magically recede whenever he reached
out to taste them
• Bosola is melancholy and contemplative in nature
- Bosola compares his service to the Cardinal to that of “a soldier that hazards his
limbs in a battle”
• He sees his service as courageous and risky, and often receives little or no re-
ward for the completion of his tasks
- Bosola then says “places in the court are but like beds in the hospital”
• Referring to the inescapable social hierarchy where “this man’s head lies at that
man’s foot, and so lower and lower”
• He criticises the court because he is largely left out of it
- Antonio foreshadows Bosola’s immoral acts, saying “This foul melancholy will
poison all his goodness”, and he criticises his “want of action” (idleness, lack of
ambition)
• Compares a negative internal state to a poison
• Believes that Bosola’s pessimistic outlook will generate bad behaviour
Act 1, scene 2
- Ferdinand presents a “jewel” to Antonio as a prize for winning a game of ring-
jousting
2
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller cassia2. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £2.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
