Discuss the themes of law, knowledge and marriage in the duchess of malfi.
Answers
Answer:
The Duchess of Malfi takes place in Roman Catholic Italy, which English Renaissance audiences would have associated with the stereotype of “sophisticated corruption.” The play begins with Antonio’s speech about his recent return from the French court; he praises France and offers the play’s notion of an ideal royal state. The French king, Antonio reports, in order to bring everything to order, has rid himself of all flatterers and “infamous persons” because he rightly understands that a court “is like a common fountain.” Usually goodness flows, but if it is poisoned near the head (i.e., the monarch), death spreads throughout the entire fountain (the entire nation). The French court is especially good because there is a council unafraid to inform the King of the “corruption of the times.” Some advisors tell rulers what to do, but in France the advisors tell the King what he should foresee. It’s ideal that France is filled with nobles willing to speak against corruption and give genuine advice to rulers.
Explanation:
The Duchess of Malfi (originally published as The Tragedy of the Dutchesse of Malfy) is a Jacobean revenge tragedy written by English dramatist John Webster in 1612–1613.[1] It was first performed privately at the Blackfriars Theatre, then later to a larger audience at The Globe, in 1613–1614.[2]