The Duchess Of Malfi: Act 1
Act 1, scene 1
- Antonio says of the French court “I admire it”, as “a prince’s court is like a com-
mon fountain” where “pure silver drops” should flow
• An ideal court should spread goodness throughout a country
• Praise of the French court sets up a comparison to the Italian court which audi-
ences of the time associated with sophisticated corruption, and the extent of
this corruption is revealed throughout the play
- Antonio says that if the leaders of a country are corrupt, “death and diseases
through the whole land spread”
• He knows that the court is susceptible to poisoning by corruption
• Foreshadows the abuse of power by corrupt leaders (Ferdinand and the Cardi-
nal) which drives the events of the play
- Antonio describes Bosola as a “court-gall”
• Bosola satirizes and speaks against the court, but only because he lacks the
wealth and power to truly participate
- The Cardinal is extremely dismissive of Bosola “So.”, “You enforce your merit too
much.”
• The Cardinal tries to preserve his image by ignoring and not associating with
Bosola
• This is an early indication of his corruption
• There is also the implication here that the Cardinal ordered Bosola to commit
the murder that landed him in the galleys
- Bosola says that the Cardinal is “able to possess the greatest devil and make him
worse”
• Raises questions about the Cardinal’s validity as a powerful religious figure
1
, - Bosola describes the Cardinal and Ferdinand as like “plum trees that grow
crooked over standing pools”, which only “crows, pies and caterpillars” feed on
• Disturbing imagery and bad omens
• Hints at the sinister nature of the Cardinal and Ferdinand
- Bosola laments that his life is an endless cycle of hope and disappointment, ask-
ing “What creature ever fed worse than hoping Tantalus?”
• Tantalus is the mythological son of Zeus who was tortured in Hades, food and
water would appear before his eyes but magically recede whenever he reached
out to taste them
• Bosola is melancholy and contemplative in nature
- Bosola compares his service to the Cardinal to that of “a soldier that hazards his
limbs in a battle”
• He sees his service as courageous and risky, and often receives little or no re-
ward for the completion of his tasks
- Bosola then says “places in the court are but like beds in the hospital”
• Referring to the inescapable social hierarchy where “this man’s head lies at that
man’s foot, and so lower and lower”
• He criticises the court because he is largely left out of it
- Antonio foreshadows Bosola’s immoral acts, saying “This foul melancholy will
poison all his goodness”, and he criticises his “want of action” (idleness, lack of
ambition)
• Compares a negative internal state to a poison
• Believes that Bosola’s pessimistic outlook will generate bad behaviour
Act 1, scene 2
- Ferdinand presents a “jewel” to Antonio as a prize for winning a game of ring-
jousting
2
Act 1, scene 1
- Antonio says of the French court “I admire it”, as “a prince’s court is like a com-
mon fountain” where “pure silver drops” should flow
• An ideal court should spread goodness throughout a country
• Praise of the French court sets up a comparison to the Italian court which audi-
ences of the time associated with sophisticated corruption, and the extent of
this corruption is revealed throughout the play
- Antonio says that if the leaders of a country are corrupt, “death and diseases
through the whole land spread”
• He knows that the court is susceptible to poisoning by corruption
• Foreshadows the abuse of power by corrupt leaders (Ferdinand and the Cardi-
nal) which drives the events of the play
- Antonio describes Bosola as a “court-gall”
• Bosola satirizes and speaks against the court, but only because he lacks the
wealth and power to truly participate
- The Cardinal is extremely dismissive of Bosola “So.”, “You enforce your merit too
much.”
• The Cardinal tries to preserve his image by ignoring and not associating with
Bosola
• This is an early indication of his corruption
• There is also the implication here that the Cardinal ordered Bosola to commit
the murder that landed him in the galleys
- Bosola says that the Cardinal is “able to possess the greatest devil and make him
worse”
• Raises questions about the Cardinal’s validity as a powerful religious figure
1
, - Bosola describes the Cardinal and Ferdinand as like “plum trees that grow
crooked over standing pools”, which only “crows, pies and caterpillars” feed on
• Disturbing imagery and bad omens
• Hints at the sinister nature of the Cardinal and Ferdinand
- Bosola laments that his life is an endless cycle of hope and disappointment, ask-
ing “What creature ever fed worse than hoping Tantalus?”
• Tantalus is the mythological son of Zeus who was tortured in Hades, food and
water would appear before his eyes but magically recede whenever he reached
out to taste them
• Bosola is melancholy and contemplative in nature
- Bosola compares his service to the Cardinal to that of “a soldier that hazards his
limbs in a battle”
• He sees his service as courageous and risky, and often receives little or no re-
ward for the completion of his tasks
- Bosola then says “places in the court are but like beds in the hospital”
• Referring to the inescapable social hierarchy where “this man’s head lies at that
man’s foot, and so lower and lower”
• He criticises the court because he is largely left out of it
- Antonio foreshadows Bosola’s immoral acts, saying “This foul melancholy will
poison all his goodness”, and he criticises his “want of action” (idleness, lack of
ambition)
• Compares a negative internal state to a poison
• Believes that Bosola’s pessimistic outlook will generate bad behaviour
Act 1, scene 2
- Ferdinand presents a “jewel” to Antonio as a prize for winning a game of ring-
jousting
2
