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forward/foreword sp - explore the symbolism of the ring.

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great analysis and link here. Good use of critical material to support your argument- don't forget secrecy as a convention of revenge tragedy.

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great analysis and link here. Good use of critical material to support your argument- don't forget secrecy as a convention of revenge tragedy.

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What do the critics say about Antonio? The idea of social climbing being frowned upon is a bit vague. Why? and by who?

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You could have explored the context of madness, tracing back to Elizabethan ideas and punishments and looking at this as a possible foreshadow of this popular Jacobean revenge convention.

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Great stuff, you need a quote (from Malfi) to support that last point. Past tense of seek is sought. Good links to Rossetti - this is exactly the kind of linking we need to be making: ideas and themes rather than language techniques although is there was similar symbolism/imagery used, that's always worth a mention.

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lines 395-400
The exchange between Antonio and The Duchess has multiple layers of meaning. When The Duchess claims to only take off her ring for her "second husband" but then immediately takes it off and hands it to Antonio, it highlights her confidence and foreword nature. When Antonio realises her hint at marriage, he asks why she has taken it off now, to which she replies "to help you eyesight". On the surface, it could mean she was referring to his blood shot eye, however, she can be referring to his lack of acknowledgement to her hints during the conversation. This evident and unmistakable gesture to pass him her ring may be to clear his sight and give him clear indication that she loves him and has a desire for him to be her husband. Thus the "eyesight" can be a symbolism for his ability to pick up on her hints and even his sight into the future with her as his wife. This exchange highlights the contrast in the two characters, although The Duchess falls in love with Antonio, the audience can quickly pick up that Antonio's character is not as strong as The Duchess. Although this idea of her being a stronger character may be to highlight the class difference between the two, it could also suggest how the Duchess does not conform to Jacobean Societal rules. She is a woman and therefore subordinate to men, thus her speaking out about her desires and inner feelings goes against the normal perception of women in the Jacobean era.

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"Both shall be safe: for I'll conceal this secret from the world as warily as those that trade in posion/Keep poison from their children"

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"Both shall be safe: for I'll conceal this secret from the world as warily as those that trade in posion/Keep poison from their children"

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This quotation reveals the level of trust between Cariola and the Duchess. She knows about the Duchess remarrying and promises to keep this a secret from the world. This raies the theme of secrecy in the play and drives the play on as her betrayal results in the actions taken by the brothers and Bosola. As critic Brenda Marina Henry-Offor mentions in 'The Paradoxes of Intimacy in Early Modern Drama', the reference to "poison" is key her, because it foreshadows the futility of this assurance. This is because "her ability to keep secrets is overtaken by Bosola's art" later on in the play; Bosola's "poison[ous]" gaze brings this secret out to the open public. The connotations of poison include danger and death, which will be evident later in the play, when this secret is no longer kept and kills the Duchess along with her family. But, Cariola is also punished with death for simply knowing this secret. In a similar manner, a theme of secrecy is presented in Christina Rossetti's poem, Maude Clare. The reference to "Winter" is used to present it as a dangerous time and season. This is presented through the use of words often associated with the actions of animals such as "nipping" and "biting". These depict how the speaker feels attacked by others' involvement in her life and their growing curiosity to know about her secet. Thus, it can be inferred that the Duchess feels the same way and hiding her marriage with Antonio, is not as easy as Webster portrays it to be.

Muna, Gagandeep & Angelika

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But he’s a fool That being a-cold would thrust his hands i’th’fire To warm them.

Despite the Duchess desperate attempt to woo Antonio, it seems that (even after their short marriage) their their master- servant relationship remains. Although Antonio is tempted, he is not ready to climb up the social ladder due his status that act as a reminder of his ‘unworthiness’ which makes him class conscious enough not to try it. Equally, might Antonio be wary of the upcoming danger that ‘fire’ connotes, since social climbing was frowned down upon as they thought social statuses were given by God. Even though Antonio relents at last, there is still doubt whether he is marrying her willingly or has interpreted her words as orders to be followed as he even after their marriage continues to call her ‘Duchess’ unlike Thomas from Rossetti’s ‘Maude Clare’ who struggles to find an appropriate term of address for his former lover as he alternates between ‘lady’ and ‘Maude Clare.’ Perhaps it is due the element of confusion as Antonio cannot publicly regard the Duchess as his wife because of the secrecy of their marriage which puts him always below the Duchess.

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"We are forced to woo because none dare woo us" (1.1.133)

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"We are forced to woo because none dare woo us" (1.1.133)

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This quotation illustrates the difference in the social status of the Duchess and Antonio. Webster's use of the term "dare" shows that it is not easy for Antonio or anyone else from a lower-class background than her to approach her, especially with the thought of wooing her. Since Antonio is merely her Steward he may be hesitant to reveal his emotions. Also, the idea of forcefully wooing depicts the unconventional nature of this love coming from the Duchess. This is because, stereotypically, Jacobean contemporaries would focus on male dominance in a relationship. A modern audience would not be as surprised with this proposal as a woman proposing to a man has become socially convential. Similarly, this notion is present in Christina Rossetti's 'Maude Clare'. Both eponymous characters, Maude Clare and the Duchess are examples of superior women who control the men, since Maude Clare is compared to a "queen". In the poem, Thomas is "pale with inward strife" suggesting that Maude Clare has an effect on him just as the Duchess had an effect on Antonio, where he could not reject the proposal.

Muna, Gagandeep & Angelika

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“Whether the spirit of greatness or of woman Reign most in her, I know not, but it shows a fearful madness. I owe her much of pity”.(1.1.492-94)

Cariola closes the first act after witnessing the Duchess and Antonio’s secret marriage. Though she is a loyal maid of the Duchess and promises to keep her secret safe, her closing lines suggest that she is “fearful” of the “madness” and worries that the Duchess marrying her social inferior may result in a tragedy. Cariola questions why the Duchess is willing to take such a risk and wonders whether it may be “the spitrit of greatness” with the idea of being powerful enough to rebel against social expectations. The poem 'No thank you John' by Christina Rossetti also presents women to have the “greatness” and power to make their own decisions within marriage. Rossetti Context: Women were expected to accept any proposal as rejection risked the chances of staying unmarried. Marriage was crucial for women as they had no right to own properties giving them no chance to live independently.
Though the Duchess was aware of the dangers within her marriage, she prioritised her desires over her safety which shows the “woman reign in her”. In other words, her lustful nature pushed her to look over the dangers of remarrying though she was warned by her brothers.

- Mehru and Gunjan

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mehru and gunjan's

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The Duchess and a theory behind her want to remarry

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The Duchess and a theory behind her want to remarry

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Act 1 Scene 1: lines 366-371
These lines talk about how she would rather make her will now when she is healthy. 'Will' here could have two meanings, her heritage rights or her expressing what she wants. In the latter case , this may reveal the rare moment of the Duchess' vulnerability, she seems scared to die alone. The imagery here in 'deep groans and terribly ghastly looks' expresses her fear of a painful death and her ageing beauty. we understand that she has been widowed at a young age and hence her want to remarry before she ages can be recognised by modern audiences as a driving factor for her rapid remarriage to Antonio. "I have desired, and I have been desired; But now the days are over of desire, Now dust and dying embers mock my fire;" this quote from Rossetti's Soeur Lousie poem shows the fear of a woman's ageing beauty and inner desires. This reinforced by her previously asking 'What's laid up yonder for me' through which could be questioning the purpose of her life, with no children from her deceased husband, and little control over her own life. This can relate to another quote in Rossettis poem "Where is the hire for which my life was hired?". context: Jacobean women were sub-ordinate to men. They were supposed to obey what was told to them. The main responsibility of married women was to take care of the household matters and raise children. Before marriage, a girl was under the control of her father, after marriage her husband and after the death of her husband, her son. Thus, women were made to depend on their male relatives throughout their lives. Not having a trust worthy or empathetic male relative in her life she seeked male protection through someone else. Presumably the Duchess grew up in this society and her seeking her female role in the situation she was in is understandable.
This also relates to Rossetti's poem 'From The Antique' in which she talks about the purpose of a woman's life which means nothing. This relates to how the Duchess nay feel her life is worthless which drives her to incorporate someone into her life.

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•Find key quotations from pages 26-34 that illustrate the Duchess’ relationship with Cariola and/or Antonio.

•Once you have posted at least two quotations, post your analysis underneath – to both your quotations and add to the analysis of others.

You must:

Comment on individual words and discuss the connotations

Discuss punctuation and or structure of the line or scene as a whole

Link contextual factors to your quotation

Challenge:

Start linking wider readings (critical or other plays) to your analysis

Compare to Rossetti