The Duchess of Malfi as a portrait of a corrupt society / We are in a world of intense evil.

Duchess of Malfi as a portrait of a corrupt society

 

 

 Discuss The Duchess of Malfi as a portrait of a corrupt society / We are in a world of intense evil,discuss.

Ans:

( Short points: Jecobean age, Court, Ferdinand, Bosola, Religion/Cardinal, Conclusion)

Jecobean age:

• Webster is a Jecobean writer.
• Age of despair.
• Marked by pessimism and negativity.
• Corruption is court,religious institutions and society.
• Sycophants and flatterers misguided the king.
• Priests and clergymen were corrupted.
• Ordinary masses had no hope of escaping the system.

Court in the play:

• Court serves as a symbol of social corruption.
• Comprised of corrupt characters: Ferdinand,Cardinal.
• Only possibility of redemption lies with the duchess.
• She falls victim to the overwhelming corruption.

Ferdinand:

•   Play begins with Antonio's commenting on the French court as the ideal court. 
• Court of this play  is contrasted to French court.
• Ferdinand reveals in sycophancy.
• Through Ferdinand,the writer criticizes political absolutism.
• Ferdinand represents civic authority,corruption and injustice.
• His tyrannical nature is revealed in imprisoning and torturing the Duchess

Bosola:

• Notorious  murderer,works for the Cardinal .
• Became a prisoner for two years.
• Been neglected by the Cardinal .
• Hankers after power and wealth,commits any kind of criminal  act.
• Reveals the corruption of men of higher class.
• First to feed on the riches of Ferdinand and Cardinal.
• Reveals his own,has to be a caterpillar.

Religion/Cardinal:

• Webstar critiques institutionalized religion.
• Cardinal is the symbol of deception and evil nature of catholic priests.
• He uses devious plots to overthrow his enemy.
• Indulges in illegal relationships.
• Wants to bribe to become the pope.
• Mocks religion and uses the Holy Bible to kill Julia.
• Attempts to cover up Julia's murder.
• The pope of the play is a corrupt religious leader.
• The pope has his own army,confiscates the Duchess' property,does various other wrong deeds.

Conclusion:

• Webstar exposes the shortcomings of the state and religion.
• The play is a context of humanity prone to corruption and error.
• The play doesn't postulate an ordered universe at all.