Duchess of Malfi Key Quotes with complete solution
Which quote demonstrates the 'ideal' of rulership/responsibility (a key theme of the play)
and also the Renaissance theme of the ideal?
"His master's masterpiece, the work of heaven."
Which quote demonstrates the distance of the 'ideal' of the French court, with an added
insinuation that Malfi is a reflection of the English court?
"You have been long in France."
Which quote demonstrates the nature of growing corruption and is significant for the
play as a whole?
"...but if't chance / Some cursed example poison't near the head, / Death and diseases
through the whole land spread."
Which references by Bosola act as a microcosm for the play as a whole?
"He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are
rich and o'erladen with fruit."
"I would hang on their ears like a horse-leech till I were full, and then drop off."
Which reference, again by Bosola, reflects the insubstantial nature of courtly existence?
"What creature ever fed worse than hoping Tantalus?"
Tantalus was a character in mythology (see note 56 for details).
Which quote possibly indicates the Cardinal's true opinion towards his profession (as
Cardinal)?
"...but observe his inward character; he is a melancholy Churchman."
As well as referring to sadness, melancholia was seen as a fashionable trait in
Renaissance society, and this could therefore reference the Cardinal's true desire for
social gain.
Which quote demonstrates the predatory nature of Ferdinand?
"He makes it his dwelling and a prison / To entangle those shall feed him."
Which quote foreshadows Antonio's social transformation after his relationship with the
Duchess?
"She throws upon a man so sweet a look / That it were able raise one to a galliard / That
lay in a dead palsy."
Which quote alludes to the 'great man theory' and thus emphasises the notion of the
shaping power of authority?
"You must give great men leave to take their times."
The great man theory is an historiographical theory pioneered in the 19th Century,
which argues that history, through one way or another, is shaped exclusively by the
influence of great men.
Which quote introduces Bosola's dynamic of placing duty above morality?
"I am your creature" (creature suggests both a lack of morals but also an ineliminable
bond between Bosola and Ferdinand).
Which quote introduces the notion of the 'lusty widow'?
"Their livers are more spotted / Than Laban's sheep."
, Which quote connects moral corruption with inevitable downfall?
"Hypocrisy is woven of a fine small thread, / Subtler than Vulcan's engine."
Vulcan's engine refers to the net that the God Vulcan caught Mars and Venus in, during
the act of adultery.
Which quote foreshadows the Duchess' entrapment following her relationship with
Antonio?
"The marriage night is the entrance into some prison."
Which quote demonstrates Ferdinand's emphasis on honour, and the destructive nature
of this need?
"This was my father's poniard. Do you see?"
Which quote highlights Ferdinand's 'sexual deviancy' and reinforces the idea of the lusty
widow?
"And women like that part which, like the lamprey, / Hath ne'er a bone in't."
Which quote demonstrates the Duchess taking on an unnatural masculine role and thus
possibly demonstrates Webster justifying her downfall?
"as men in some great battles... / So I, through frights and threat'nings, will / assay this
dangerous venture."
How does the Duchess' exchange with Antonio demonstrate her dominance over him?
Her use of questions again demonstrates her transcending the renaissance female
social sphere.
Which quote demonstrates the possible overriding sexuality of the Duchess?
"...use my ring to't. / They say 'tis very sovereign."
In renaissance symbolism, the 'ring' was used to mean the physical structure of the
vagina.
Which quote demonstrates the Duchess attempting to transcend rigid hierarchical
boundaries through her relationship with Antonio?
"This goodly roof of yours is too low built; / I cannot stand upright in't, nor discourse, /
Without I raise it higher."
Which quote again demonstrates an unusual changing of gender roles and thus the
futility, in Webster's eyes, of the Duchess and Antonio's relationship?
"That we may imitate the loving palms [Antonio] ... What can the Church force more?
[Duchess]"
Which technique in this scene demonstrates the falsity of courtly life and the rigid social
hierarchy?
Bosola's use of prose when addressing Castruchio.
Which quote demonstrates Bosola subtly deriding Castruchio?
"your nightcap expresses your ears sufficient / largely."
Suggests observance (court intrigue) but also alludes to cretinism and thus stupidity.
Which quote presents irony as Bosola bemoans the creation of 'false identities' through
using makeup?
"One would suspect it for a shop of witchcraft, to find / in it the fat of serpents, spawn of
snakes, Jews' spittle, and / their young children's odure - and all these for the face."
Which quote demonstrates the 'ideal' of rulership/responsibility (a key theme of the play)
and also the Renaissance theme of the ideal?
"His master's masterpiece, the work of heaven."
Which quote demonstrates the distance of the 'ideal' of the French court, with an added
insinuation that Malfi is a reflection of the English court?
"You have been long in France."
Which quote demonstrates the nature of growing corruption and is significant for the
play as a whole?
"...but if't chance / Some cursed example poison't near the head, / Death and diseases
through the whole land spread."
Which references by Bosola act as a microcosm for the play as a whole?
"He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are
rich and o'erladen with fruit."
"I would hang on their ears like a horse-leech till I were full, and then drop off."
Which reference, again by Bosola, reflects the insubstantial nature of courtly existence?
"What creature ever fed worse than hoping Tantalus?"
Tantalus was a character in mythology (see note 56 for details).
Which quote possibly indicates the Cardinal's true opinion towards his profession (as
Cardinal)?
"...but observe his inward character; he is a melancholy Churchman."
As well as referring to sadness, melancholia was seen as a fashionable trait in
Renaissance society, and this could therefore reference the Cardinal's true desire for
social gain.
Which quote demonstrates the predatory nature of Ferdinand?
"He makes it his dwelling and a prison / To entangle those shall feed him."
Which quote foreshadows Antonio's social transformation after his relationship with the
Duchess?
"She throws upon a man so sweet a look / That it were able raise one to a galliard / That
lay in a dead palsy."
Which quote alludes to the 'great man theory' and thus emphasises the notion of the
shaping power of authority?
"You must give great men leave to take their times."
The great man theory is an historiographical theory pioneered in the 19th Century,
which argues that history, through one way or another, is shaped exclusively by the
influence of great men.
Which quote introduces Bosola's dynamic of placing duty above morality?
"I am your creature" (creature suggests both a lack of morals but also an ineliminable
bond between Bosola and Ferdinand).
Which quote introduces the notion of the 'lusty widow'?
"Their livers are more spotted / Than Laban's sheep."
, Which quote connects moral corruption with inevitable downfall?
"Hypocrisy is woven of a fine small thread, / Subtler than Vulcan's engine."
Vulcan's engine refers to the net that the God Vulcan caught Mars and Venus in, during
the act of adultery.
Which quote foreshadows the Duchess' entrapment following her relationship with
Antonio?
"The marriage night is the entrance into some prison."
Which quote demonstrates Ferdinand's emphasis on honour, and the destructive nature
of this need?
"This was my father's poniard. Do you see?"
Which quote highlights Ferdinand's 'sexual deviancy' and reinforces the idea of the lusty
widow?
"And women like that part which, like the lamprey, / Hath ne'er a bone in't."
Which quote demonstrates the Duchess taking on an unnatural masculine role and thus
possibly demonstrates Webster justifying her downfall?
"as men in some great battles... / So I, through frights and threat'nings, will / assay this
dangerous venture."
How does the Duchess' exchange with Antonio demonstrate her dominance over him?
Her use of questions again demonstrates her transcending the renaissance female
social sphere.
Which quote demonstrates the possible overriding sexuality of the Duchess?
"...use my ring to't. / They say 'tis very sovereign."
In renaissance symbolism, the 'ring' was used to mean the physical structure of the
vagina.
Which quote demonstrates the Duchess attempting to transcend rigid hierarchical
boundaries through her relationship with Antonio?
"This goodly roof of yours is too low built; / I cannot stand upright in't, nor discourse, /
Without I raise it higher."
Which quote again demonstrates an unusual changing of gender roles and thus the
futility, in Webster's eyes, of the Duchess and Antonio's relationship?
"That we may imitate the loving palms [Antonio] ... What can the Church force more?
[Duchess]"
Which technique in this scene demonstrates the falsity of courtly life and the rigid social
hierarchy?
Bosola's use of prose when addressing Castruchio.
Which quote demonstrates Bosola subtly deriding Castruchio?
"your nightcap expresses your ears sufficient / largely."
Suggests observance (court intrigue) but also alludes to cretinism and thus stupidity.
Which quote presents irony as Bosola bemoans the creation of 'false identities' through
using makeup?
"One would suspect it for a shop of witchcraft, to find / in it the fat of serpents, spawn of
snakes, Jews' spittle, and / their young children's odure - and all these for the face."
