"The Duchess of Malfi"

English > Analysis
Literature > English
Women Studies

Examines John Webster's "The Duchess of Malfi" considering his representation of 'rebellious, outspoken or desiring' women.

776 words () | 0 sources | MLA | 2006 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

Concentrating specifically on the Duchess herself in "The Duchess of Malfi", this paper explores both her social and political transgressions that ultimately cause her tragic death. The author of the paper challenges Bartel's assertion that there is 'no escape for those subjects who show remarkable autonomy before they go', by concentrating specifically on the events surrounding the death of the Duchess. The author further attempts to demonstrate how the Duchess' 'remarkable autonomy' continues, even at the time of her death, leaving her the most powerful figure in the play.

From the Paper:

"The Duchess of Malfi has been compared to the real lives of Arbella Stuart, and Catherine of Valois. All were noble women in socially isolated environments, each was at the mercy of more powerful male relative(s), and all three wanted to remarry but were forbidden to do so, yet each insisted on marrying anyway. Further to this, each married not only the man of her choice, but also someone beneath her on the social scale, resulting in each being persecuted."