Summary
Summary Duchess of Malfi Quote analysis
This is a table consisting of the most important quotes that you should remember, and a note-like annotation of the key arguments you can raise when analysing each quote.
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DUCHESS OF MALFI QUOTES:PG QUOTE ANALYSIS
9 Flatt’ring sycophants Antonio about the French court, this is really a dig at
J1. Webster uses Antonio as a mouthpiece.
11 This great fellow were able to possess the Bosola about the Cardinal. Ironic as he is the face of
greatest devil and make him worse. the Church = corruption (REMEMBER; Cardinal bribed
his way to power). Bosola may possibly be atheist,
hence his carefree attitude.
11 He and his brother are like plum trees Bosola about Ferdinand/Cardinal. Simile indicates the
that grow crooked over standing pools colourful image of corruption. Standing pools have
stagnant water – F/C thrive on waste and corruption.
Bosola is the first to feed on the riches of the brothers
and in exposing their corruption, he reveals his own
stance as the caterpillar.
15 Courtiers should be my touchwood, take Ferdinand to courtiers. Motif of fire. Touchwood is v
fire when I give fire, laugh when I laugh flammable wood.
18 The law to him is like a foul black cobweb Delio about Ferdinand. Simile. He uses the law to
to a spider, he makes it his dwelling, and a benefit himself, highlights the corruption of the upper
prison to entangle those shall feed him. classes.
20 A sick man’s urine, which some call the Bosola says this. Contrasts w/the sea imagery and
physicians whore. nurse at the end of SND.
22 You envy those that stand above your Ferdinand about Bosola. Stanley also shares this
reach quality.
24 Diamonds are of most value they say, that DOM’s vulgar joke. Contrasts w/Blanche’s tiara and
have passed through most jewellers’ contents of her trunk.
hands.
24 Your darkest actions, nay, your privat’st Ferdinand to DOM. Their relationship is similar to that
thoughts, will come to light. of Stanley and Blanche (eg; rape). He’s implying that
the darkness will no longer protect her – as if a female
exercising her sexuality is a bad thing.
25 My father’s poniard Ferdinand. Oedipal trajectory, phallic.
25 Women like the part which, like the Ferdinand. Lamprey = baby eel (animal imagery).
lamprey, hath ne’er a bone in’t. Sexual innuendo. He’s overtly sexual yet is suggesting
that women are.
26 Lusty widow Ferdinand about DOM. HUGE LINK TO BLANCHE.
30 [She puts her ring upon his finger] DOM holds the most power in her’s and Antonio’s
relationship.
30 Ambition, madam, is a great man’s Antonio to DOM. Alliteration of ‘m’. Could use this
madness when analysing Bosola.
37 Man stands to see his deformity in any Bosola. Could possibly say this for Mitch who throws
other creature but himself himself at Stanley yet even Mitch tried to rape Blanche.
41 –How greedily she eats them! Bosola. Greed is a sin, how else has DOM sinned?
43 Vulturous eating Bosola about DOM eating apricots. Animal imagery,
however vultures are carnivores (and occasionally
scavengers). She eats like Stanley.
47 Old friends, like old swords, still are Delio to Antonio. Ironic as Delio is never there when
trusted best. Antonio needs him. Simile. Compare this
w/Ferdinand’s poniard.
48 This mole does undermine me Antonio about Bosola. Animal imagery. Mole;
underground creature usually blind, this highlights the
status quo (could be a reference to Bosola’s past in the
galleys). Ironic is Antonio is like an ant; small.
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