48 Questions
What is the setting of the play The Duchess of Malfi?
Roman Catholic Italy
What is the occupation of Bosola in the play?
Murderer and former employee of the Cardinal
Why do the Duchess's brothers want her to remain a widow?
To ensure her ongoing sexual purity and to inherit her fortune
What does Antonio reveal about the Duchess's brothers in his conversation with Delio?
They are jealous, conniving, and despicable
What does the Duchess's brothers hope to achieve by instructing her not to remarry?
To preserve their honor and inherit her fortune
What is the character of the Duchess according to Antonio?
Noble, temperate, beautiful, and intelligent
Why does Bosola agree to be a spy for Duke Ferdinand?
Because he feels it is his duty to obey the Duke
What is the position that Bosola is given on the Duchess's estate?
Spy for Duke Ferdinand
What is the relationship between Antonio and Delio?
Friends
What is the motivation behind the Cardinal and Duke's actions towards the Duchess?
They want to control her and her fortune
What does Ferdinand condemn Bosola for?
Following his orders
What is Ferdinand diagnosed with?
Lycanthropia
What does the Cardinal instruct Bosola to do?
Murder Antonio
What happens to Julia?
She is forced to kiss a poisoned book
What does Bosola intend to do after overhearing the Cardinal's plan?
Save Antonio and get revenge on the brothers
Who does Bosola accidentally stab in the darkness?
Antonio
Why do the Cardinal's courtiers stay away from his room?
They are following the Cardinal's instruction
What does Ferdinand mistake his brother for when he stabs him?
The devil
Who enters the scene after all the deaths?
Delio
What does Ferdinand use his dying words to say?
Our deaths are caused by our own actions
What is the Duchess's plan after knowing that her brothers have discovered her secret marriage?
To flee to Milan with her husband
Why does Bosola give the Duchess apricots?
To test her and reveal her secret
What does Antonio inadvertently drop, which reveals the Duchess's secret to Bosola?
A piece of paper with a horoscope for a baby
What is Ferdinand's reaction when he confronts the Duchess about her marriage?
He is filled with rage and anger
What is the Cardinal's response to the Duchess's situation?
He formally banishes the Duchess and her family
What does Ferdinand use to trick the Duchess into believing Antonio is dead?
The hand of a dead man
What is the fate of the Duchess, her children, and Cariola?
They are strangled to death
How does Ferdinand feel after seeing the Duchess's dead body?
He feels remorseful and guilty
What is Bosola's role in the play?
He is Ferdinand's spy and servant
What is the Duchess's attitude when faced with death?
She is calm and unafraid
What drives the tragic forces of the play's major plotline?
The greed and pride of the Cardinal and the Duke
Why is the Duchess's marriage to Antonio remarkable?
Because she married against her brothers' will
What is a prominent theme in The Duchess of Malfi?
The consequences of sin and guilt
What is distinct about the Duchess's attitude towards death?
She is composes and dignified in the face of it
What motivates the Cardinal and the Duke's actions towards the Duchess?
Greed and pride due to her fortune and noble blood
What is notable about Antonio's behavior during his courtship with the Duchess?
He was careful not to appear too ambitious
What is a significant aspect of the Duchess's marriage to Antonio?
It was a marriage between a noble and a person of a lower class
What is associated with the stereotype of 'sophisticated corruption' in English Renaissance audiences?
Roman Catholic Italy
What is a theme explored in the relationship between the Duchess and Antonio?
The importance of social class
What is the central theme of the play's beginning?
Politics and Corruption
What is Ferdinand's motivation towards his sister?
He has an incestuous desire for her
What is an example of a woman successfully controlled by a man in the play?
Julia's relationship with the Cardinal
What is used to describe the relationship between the Cardinal and Julia?
Animal imagery
What is the characteristic of the play's ending?
It is a tragic ending with most characters dead
What is the role of the French king in the play's notion of an ideal royal state?
He is a fair and just ruler
What is the theme that is reflected in the character of Julia?
Love and Male Authority
What is the tone of the play's portrayal of death and suffering?
Somber and tragic
What is the central theme that is explored in the play's portrayal of the Duchess's marriage?
Love and Male Authority
Explore the setting and characters of John Webster's play, The Duchess of Malfi, set in Roman Catholic Italy. Learn about the Duchess, her brothers, and other key characters that drive the plot.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
