THE DUCHESS OF MALFI BY JOHN WEBSTER - General Questions 4
A. “…O, this gloomy world! In what a shadow, or deep pit of darkness, Doth womanish and fearful mankind live!”
B. Do you think that Bosola’s dying words give an accurate impression of the world of the play?
C. “The violence and horror in The Duchess of Malfi should not blind us to the subtlety of Webster’s stagecraft.” Discuss.
D. What sympathy have you for the view that violence in The Duchess of Malfi is seen as an end in itself?
E. “Our interest is held by the mental anguish of the characters as much as by the intrigues of the plot. “To what extent do you agree with this statement?
F. “The Duchess does not achieve tragic status because it is her own shortcomings which bring about her downfall.” Discuss this view of the Duchess.
G. At one point in the play Antonio expresses the opinion that Ferdinand and the Cardinal are twins “in quality”. To what extent do you agree that the two brothers are similar?
H. In the final scene of the play, Bosola speaks of himself as an actor in the main of all:
Much ‘gainst mine own good nature, yet i’ th’ end
Neglected.
By examining the ways in which Webster presents Bosola throughout the play, discuss your response to these comments.