Malfi critical quotations

Question 1

Sexuality of the duchess

Answer 1

“A provocative figure created to make the audience reflect on their times”
- Weale

Question 2

Maternal nature of the Duchess

Answer 2

“The duchess, not her brothers, stands for ordinary humanity, love and the continuity of life through children”
- Ribner

Question 3

Male protagonists vs women

Answer 3

“When confronted with female power and sexual desire , male characters react with extreme violence”
- Windsor

Question 4

Male cruelty and corruption

Answer 4

“Military heroism is evoked only in brief allusions and associated with the Cardinal, Ferdinand, and their savage, discontented henchman Bosola”
- Mary Beth Rose

Question 5

Carnal desires, female sexuality

Answer 5

“play is an attempt to control female sexuality”
- Wilson

Question 6

Stanley destroying Blanche

Answer 6

“Stanley ‘wishes to destroy [Blanche’s] composure”
M McGlinn,