Bosola quotes Flashcards
(5 cards)
“Say then my corruption/Grow out of…
“Say then my corruption/Grow out of horse dung. I am your creature.”
“I look no higher…
“I look no higher than I can reach.”
->
“For this action I am certain to be raised.”
“Princes pay flatterers…
“Princes pay flatterers/In their own money.”
“A politician is the…
“A politician is the devil’s quilted anvil.”
“And though I loathed…
“Let me know
Wherefore I should be thus neglected. Sir,
I served your tyranny, and rather strove
To satisfy yourself, than all the world;
And though I loathed the evil, yet I loved
You that did counsel it, and rather sought
To appear a true servant than an honest man.”
Bosola (4.2.319-25)
“And though I loathed the evil yet I loved/You.”
That’s a deeply conflicted and revealing line spoken by Bosola to the Duchess in Act IV, Scene II of The Duchess of Malfi.
The context is incredibly important: Bosola has just informed the Duchess that he is there to oversee her execution. He is torn between his duty to Ferdinand and the growing respect and even affection he has developed for the Duchess due to her dignity and courage in the face of her brothers’ cruelty.
Let’s break down the meaning of the line:
“And though I loathed the evil”: This clearly indicates Bosola’s awareness of the wickedness of the task he has been assigned and the injustice of the Duchess’s fate. He is not blindly following orders; he recognizes the moral wrongness of the situation. The “evil” here refers to Ferdinand and the Cardinal’s cruel machinations and the act of murdering the innocent Duchess.
“yet I loved/You”: This is the crux of the line and reveals Bosola’s complex and evolving feelings for the Duchess. His initial motivations were self-serving, hoping for reward from the brothers. However, witnessing the Duchess’s strength, her unwavering love for Antonio, and her noble bearing in the face of death has clearly moved him. The word “loved” here might not necessarily imply romantic love, but rather a deep respect, admiration, and a profound sense of empathy and connection. He has come to care for her deeply as a person.
Significance of the Quote:
Highlights Bosola’s moral struggle: This line encapsulates his internal conflict. He is caught between his obligation to his powerful employers and his own burgeoning conscience. It demonstrates his capacity for good, even after participating in evil deeds.
Reveals the Duchess’s impact on Bosola: Her virtue and dignity have touched even the cynical and world-weary Bosola, leading to a significant shift in his allegiance and motivations.
Foreshadows Bosola’s later actions: His love and remorse for the Duchess will ultimately drive him to seek revenge against Ferdinand and the Cardinal, leading to the tragic final act of the play.
Adds to the tragedy of the Duchess’s death: The fact that even her executioner has come to love and respect her underscores the profound loss and the injustice of her murder.
