014 The Duchess of Malfi
014 The Duchess of Malfi
014 The Duchess of Malfi
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As she prepares to leave Ancona with her family, she
receives a letter from Ferdinand. She decides to leave
with her two children and let Antonio leave separately
with their eldest child. Soon after, Bosola and a few
co
The Duchess of Malfi is a play written by English author soldiers detain the Duchess and her two children and
John Webster. Regarded as one of the best English imprison them.
Renaissance shows of all time, the play was first acted in
1612 and got published in 1623. The story revolves Ferdinand sees the Duchess is relaxed in the prison. To
around The Duchess and her two brothers Cardinal and disrupt her peace, he sends wax-made dead bodies of
Ferdinand. The Duchess marries a man outside of her
a.
societal status. Her brothers seek revenge and resultantly a
series of murders and mishaps occur.
Antonio and the eldest son. The Duchess still remains
calm and thinks that she will join her family soon after
being killed. Bosola and a few soldiers choke her and kill
w
her two younger children and Cariola (Duchess’s maid
The Duchess of Malfi, a widow, resides at her palace in and confidant). As the Duchess is breathing her last,
Malfi, Italy. Her brothers Ferdinand and the Cardinal Bosola reveals that those dead bodies are wax statues and
come to visit her. Antonio (the household manager) also that Antonio and her elder son are still alive.
r
doesn’t get remarried. However, The Duchess manages to front of him. Over a period of time, he develops a
discreetly get married to Antonio. disease called lycanthropy (he thinks he is a wolf).
Cardinal now offers Bosola to kill Antonio in exchange
The Duchess gets pregnant. Bosola gets a hint about her for a sum of money. Bosola joins hands with Julia
pregnancy and to confirm her pregnancy status, he offers (Cardinal’s mistress). Julia confesses to Bosola that she
ta
her apricots. Apricots are known to increase the labour likes him. Both get Cardinal to hold himself responsible
pain. After eating the apricots, the Duchess falls ill. for Duchess’s murder.
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reassured that the Duchess is pregnant. Cardinal slaughters Julia. Bosola happens to kill Antonio
accidentally. Cardinal and Bosola are stabbed by
Bosola informs Ferdinand and Cardinal about the news. Ferdinand, however, Bosola manages to kill Ferdinand.
Both brothers get infuriated and assume that their sister is Before Cardinal and Ferdinand die, Bosola tells the
ar
unmarried and the child is alleged. Ferdinand wants to whole series of events to the attending courtiers
know the father of the child before taking any action. Two including Delio — who vow to raise the eldest son of
more years elapse and the Duchess and Antonio have two the Duchess, the only member alive from the family.
more children.
Mind Map
Cardinal
Corrupt, calculating, deceitful
Italian noblemen and church official
Siblings
Brothers
Spy,
assassin