DOM Context Flashcards
Widow context
A widow has unusual power through becoming the owner of her husband’s land and wealth, and were seen as intriguing as they were both single and sexuallly experienced. The remarriage of widows was a contentious matter. They were the only women in society who were free from the complete domination of men.
Typical misogynist discourse
Women were viewed ad immoral, inferior, over-sexed and weak minded.
Hippocrates
A Greek philosopher who thought the womb was a moving organ the shifted around the body, causing hysteria. Characterized as a mental illness causing paralysis, spasms and pain in general.
Witches
Common superstitions believed that witched could hunt or kill, so people staffed witch hunts. Females who were old, physically or mentally disabled;led, had an irritable personality, or widowed could be suspects. Some were ex excited by burning.
Heaven/hell
Absolute belief in heaven and hell, with both being seen as eternal conditions.
Death/ disease
Average life expectancy was less than 30, 50 percent of children didn’t survive past 15. In 1603, 1/6 of the population of London died in an outbreak of the plague. Sexual disease syphillis caused raging fever, torturous body aches, blindness, body pustules, meninjitis, and a leaking heart valve.
Humoural theory
Fluids in the body determined personality. Sanguine = blood (lively), Choler = bile (anger), Black bile = melancholic (cynical), Phlegmatic = cold
King James’ court
By 1613, was known to be corrupt and rife with scandal and bribery. The king sold titles of honor to his courtiers in return for favors. Believed in the divine right of kings and the great chain of being. Court infamous for its profligacy and corruption, James showered his favorites with money, offices and privileges.
King James’ court
By 1613, was known to be corrupt and rife with scandal and bribery. The king sold titles of honor to his courtiers in return for favors. Believed in the divine right of kings and the great chain of being. Court infamous for its profligacy and corruption, James showered his favorites with money, offices and privileges.
Italy’s court
Was known for materialism and corrupt hedonism, and the court was a place of social climbing, sycophantry and ambition. Webster took advantage of England’s mistrust of Italy to depict corruption in Jacobean society.
The great chain of being
A hierarchy structure believed to be divinely ordained, that orders all of creation, from god at the top to inanimate matter at the bottom, including angels, humans and animals. Supports idea that your are born into your position in society and stay in the status for your whole life.
The divine right of kings
Idea that monarchs derived their authority directly from god, making them accountable only to god and not to any early authority, like a parliament.
DOM Introduction
John Webster wrote the Jacobean revenge tragedy ‘the Duchess of Malfi’ in 1613, critical exposing …….. through ……. Webster subtly criticizes James I’s profligate court and corruption, however, protects himself from treason by setting the play 100 years previous and in Italy. Webster promotes the dismantling of the social hierarchy of ‘the great chain of being’ , advocation for a meritocracy in a climate of corruption, betrayal and deceit represented by ………
