The Duchess of Malfi critical quotes Flashcards
(30 cards)
Frank Whigham on the Duchess
‘The Duchess is a figure of heroic resistance’
Michael Neill on Antonio
‘Antonio is an anomaly- a model of virtue in a corrupt world.’
T. S. Elliot on the Cardinal
‘The Cardinals cool detached villainy is more terrifying than Ferdinand’s emotional instability.’
Muriel Bradbrook on Ferdinand
‘Ferdinand’s rages are the rages of a man not in control of himself.’
John M.W. Wilks on Bosola
‘Bosola is the moral centre of the play, a malcontent whose complexity reveals the corruption around him.’
P.B. Murray on the Duchess
‘The radiant spirit of the Duchess cannot be killed.’
Christina Luckj on the Duchess
‘Critics have interpretated the Duchess’s desire as lust, revealing their discomfort with female autonomy.’
Martha Ronk Lifson on the Duchess
‘The Duchess’s body is threatening to the social order- it challenges male rule.’
Theodora A Jankowski on the Duchess
‘No language exists for women as rulers.’
Dympa Callaghan on the Duchess
‘As women she combines virtue with powerful sexual desire.’
Lydia Wilson on women in the play
‘The play is about the tangled web woven trying to control female sexuality.’
Joyce E Peterson on the Duchess
‘The Duchess is an ethical anomaly who places her private desires above public responsibilities.’
Lee Bliss on the Duchess
‘She seeks private happiness at the expense of public stability.’
P. B. Murray on Antonio
‘Antonio is modelled on the ideal of Christian gentility.’
The Cardinal (characters view) on Antonio
‘His nature is too honest for such business.’
Michael Neill on Antonio
‘Antonio can be no model of virtue, he is too like the equivocal Bosola.’
Sims on Antonio
‘Antonio is increasingly unworthy of the Duchess as the play proceeds.’
Brian Gibbons on Bosola
‘Bosola emerged as a psychologically complex and oddly sympathetic character.’
Irving Ribner on Bosola
‘Bosola is the most important unifying element in ‘The Duchess of Malfi’
Michael Neill on Bosola
‘The system devours those who serve it.’
Lucy Webster on Bosola
‘Without Bosola, ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ would not be a revenge tragedy.’
Bradbrook on Ferdinand
‘Awakened by the Duchess’ face’
Frank Whigham on Ferdinand
‘Sees himself in her eyes- and his own death.’
Gunby on Ferdinand
‘Ferdinand descends into madness- a beast among men.’
