12D - Act II, Scene IV by RSimpson https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4 en-us 2016-11-23 10:26:34 UTC 2018-04-02 05:15:55 UTC hello@padlet.com How is Julia's relationship with the Cardinal and/or Delio presented in this scene? rsimpson5 https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/139549366 2016-11-23 10:27:49 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/139549366 Aamirah rsimpson5 https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/139549533 Webster presents the relationship between Julia and the Cardinal as a contrast to the love that is portrayed in the relationship between Antonio and the Duchess due to the amount of adulteress committed and due to the lack of love between the pair.                                                  This is evident through Cardinal saying “I pray thee kiss me”.  The fact that Webster puts the idea of a “prayer” and the term “kiss” together in one sentence could imply the idea that they both know god is watching, and they want god to forgive these sins that they’re about to commit. This links to the idea of King James I because, he believed that God gave him this power over the church and the right to rule.  The figure of King James I; is also replayed by Cardinal but as a mouthpiece. This is shown through, Cardinal having that God- like authority not only over the church but also over females and everyone below him in the Great Chain of Being. Furthermore, this is a short sentence which is made up of monosyllabic words. This could represent that Cardinal only wants Julia to fulfil his sexual desires and then wants her out of his life, and that Julia is only good for his sexual needs and nothing else due to the fast, assertive tone. Modern audiences would see this as “human” and “natural” to have these strong desires to kiss someone you like or is attracted to in any way. However, Jacobean audiences would see it as violating the social norms as females had this stigma of being “innocent” and “un-touched” until after marriage and they would also see it as an act of prostitution which only desperate “widows” would do to satisfy their desires and passions. Critics such as Jankoswi A. Theodora (1990) stated that “no language existed for female rulers.” This is very well shown by Julia who abides by the social norms of society and tradition of females during the Elizabethan Era. The idea of “no language” is shown throughout the play by Julia as she obediently follows the orders of everyone – even if they went against her morals and traditions for instance having an corrupt, secret affair with the Cardinal whilst being in a marriage with Castruchio. ]]> 2016-11-23 10:28:34 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/139549533 mahnoor r https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140017381 Webster presents the relationship between the cardinal and Julia as a dog to owner relationship. This is evident through the cardinal saying to Julia ‘’ a little fingering on the lute’ and then in the same scene Julia repeating this phrase as ‘’ a lute string far exceeds it’’. This presents the cardinal as an admirable character and causes Julia to mirror his actions resulting in a dog  to owner relationship .
 
A lute could be interpreted as a guitar like instrument with a long neck. The idea of the long neck represents how the cardinal is making Julia work for his love and portrays him as a manipulative character. Alternatively the long neck could represent the beheadings that regularly took place in 1558-1603 like  in 1587 Mary queen of scots was beheaded for treason. It was also not uncommon for witches to be unfairly put on trial for public entertainment. This could foreshadow future events such as the duchess’ death and how the brothers gave the duchess a unfair trial. Usually in trials people can defend themselves but during the elizabethean era this was not the case which highlights the corruption in the hierarchy.
The repetition of this highlights how the death were intentional and suggests that the characters feel no remorse for their action which causes the audience today to feel uneasy as it portrays them as unemotional and robot-like whereas an Elizabethan audience may feel as though the continuous deaths throughout the play such as the duchess’s were justified due to women being unworthy/ hysterical and men having more authority.
Another interpretation of the lute could be ‘’clay or cement making joints airtight’’. This view highlights all the secrets compiled in the play between the characters and how even though the brothers and the duchess are genetically close the secrets and lies are tearing them apart and causing them to become enemies of each other. ‘cement’ is a building material used to construct infrastructure; this could link to the divine rights of king as everything is in its natural order and if you were to disrupt it the whole hierarchy would fall just like how the cement holds the building together and without everything would crumble which explains why the brothers are so worried for the duchess to destroy the order.
 
‘string is something that is often played with could on one hand represent how Julia is playing the cardinal for money or on the other hand how the cardinal Is playing Julia for fun. Nowadays, this would be seen as ordinary and common as it is not rare for someone to be caught cheating with wrong intentions whereas In the Elizabethan era it was firmly believed that women should be attached to their husbands and obey them without question and certainly not cheat.
 
 
Strings are played by pulling on them to make the tune that you desire. This illustrates how men in Elizabethan times were able to mould women how they wanted which was seen as normal and expected of them. This links to the critic jankowski who said ‘’ no language existed for the nature of female role’’. I agree with this statement as throughout the play there are continuous examples of the females such as the duchess or Julia being undermined by the males and classed as inferior however some may disagree as see do see the duchess rising in power, status and authority throughout which is evident in her betrayal of her brother and in the quote ‘’ pull quickly for I am the duchess still’’. Furthermore strings are breakable if the right amount of pressure is applied which highlights how men have the ability to control and break and women’s life which implies that women are nothing without men which was the common view held at the time for many Elizabethans. It also links to how nowadays men put a lot of pressure for women to act a certain way as they pull on their weaknesses due to the idea of them being hysterical.
 
When the cardinal is speaking to Julia it is spoken in iambic pentameter which emphasises the control men have over women and the influence they can have on their actions. However once Julia is speaking to delio about the same topic it is spoken in prose which represents a lack of status, power and influence in social affairs. 
]]> 2016-11-27 13:19:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140017381 Rumaisa https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140275638 In this scene, Webster presents the relationship between Julia and the Cardinal as extremely frail and idle.
This is evident through the quote said by the Cardinal 'A man might strive to make glass malleable'. The word 'glass' suggests how relationships are fragile and can easily be broken as seen between the relationship of Julia and Castruchio. Julia breaks her previous relationship and begins a new one all within one scene. This goes against how women were shown in the time period as it was typically men who had affairs and could take all the decisions, whereas women had no voice to speak out their opinions from. The critic Theodora A. Jankowsi states that ' No language existed for the nature of female rule'. This emphasizes the irony of Julia's personality as she is choosing her relationships which many women couldn't. The idea of having an affair similarly relates to Anne of Denmark who had several affairs but she still remained with king James I as she was not permitted a divorce. If she had divorced her husband or her affairs were exposed, she would be shun upon. The fact that Julia is openly having an affair with a man of higher class shows how Webster is changing the social stigma and laws for women and are modifying. 

Alternatively, glass is a transparent object suggesting that the Cardinal can see through her white lies. Thus portraying a lack of loyalty and trust between the two characters. Also, glass is a definite shape which remains still. The Jacobean audience would have viewed this idea as how women were seen as objects for men in which case they were only present to stand in a position and look appealing. 

The alliteration of the letter 'm' in the quote indicates the Cardinal's emotions as seductive and tempted towards Julia which portrays irony of a religious man. It could also portray his thought process as he could be thinking between what is morally and immorally wrong.

The cardinal also mentions the word 'malleable' in his quote. When enough heat on a metal is applied, it changes shape and form. This links to the idea that the Cardinal can change Julia sexually through purity. The sexual relationship goes against the Cardinal's supposedly beliefs which could suggest how he is not fully committed to his words therefore conveying a frail and idle relationship.]]> 2016-11-28 18:08:14 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140275638 mahnoor i https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140297812 Webster presents the relationship between Julia and the cardinal as one, where Julia could be seen to be played, and controlled like a puppet. In this scene clear distinction is shown between views on male and female role; resulting into the cardinal having sexist views towards Julia, and the right to have dominion over her. 

This is made an example of when the cardinal states “you fear my constancy because you have approved Those giddy and wild turnings in yourself." This goes to show how the cardinal is aware of Julia’s desire for him, alongside him being aware of her immoral actions –against her husband– positioning her in a state of vulnerability. 

“You fear” goes to show how the cardinal is openly indicating to her, how she is the one who has something to lose hence, giving himself a more dominant position between the two of them. 
“Constancy “ may be seen in a light of mockery as the cardinal is aware Julia lacks in loyalty therefore, by stating it shows how the cardinal may be in a higher position –according to their sexes- however, also has the mentality and actions of someone with more power.

In the time of King James reign (1603) there was a strong belief in witchcraft especially by the king himself. People believed that it was widows who held the spirit of evil and magic within them, due to them being aware of sexual desires; casting spells as a result of experience and knowledge. When the cardinal says “wild turnings in yourself” we can relate this to the saying about witches and assume that, Julia has been diverted from the path of moral women. Castrucio (her husband) isn’t given significance to as someone of much likeability and manhood hence, we can dismiss the idea of Julia being married. Due to this, assumptions can be made as to why the cardinal may relate to Julia experiencing “wild turnings” as she may as well be a widow due to accompanied by her excessive desires.

This can relate to the critical reading by Jankwoski through the quote “by remaining virgin”. This links back to the time of Queen Elizabeth the first (1558-1603) in which she stayed virgin. The reason behind this was due to stereotypical views on women, and the downfall of her and the country, expected by her. Therefore by remaining virgin, she went against what people expected of her resulting in power and success. This links to what the cardinal is saying –to Julia- in the sense that due to being aware of these desires, she will be the cause to her downfall. ]]> 2016-11-28 18:57:35 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140297812 Hira https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140298513 Webster presents a contrast in power between the Cardinal and Julia's relationship in which Julia is shown to be the pawn for the Cardinals desires.  This is illustrated through the quote " You cannot make me cuckold" by the Cardinal. The tone of the quote is assertive which indicates his assertion of power over Julia through his words making her his subordinate. The word  "you" is direct towards Julia which shows that the Cardinal has direct control over her, this reinforces the gender stereotype of the Jacobean era in which men were the dominant figures which controlled the household and the women who had no choice but to obey . furthermore the analysis of the words "make me" has an alliteration of m; this alliteration has seductive undertones which  gives us the idea that the Cardinal manipulates his harsh words into ones which target Julia's lust so she willingly abides to his command . The harshness of the words "make me" is through the use of both words being monosyllabic; the use of this technique shows the Cardinals finality in his words as he refuses to follow through with Julia, he therefore does not take Julia's love into consideration as he casts her emotions aside indicating her lack of importance to the Cardinal which shows their relationship is built solely on desires.  The Jacobean audience would not sympathise with Julia as it was Julia' lust which led to her downfall; the audience which had strong religious beliefs  would see this treatment of Julia to be a punishment for her sin. The noun "cuckold" allows us to understand the Cardinal has no regards in becoming the husband of Julia (a adulteress); the word "cuckold" and "cannot" are very similar as they both are straight to the point showing the Cardinal does not offer Julia anymore than sexual pleasure. The Cardinal only sees Julia as an object of his desires showing she s incapable of offering more as she has been branded as used by society. This therefore contradicts the view of Julia being free as she is still branded by social constructs which is justified by the critic Jankowski Theodora- Confining/Defining  the Duchess "no language exists for the nature of female rule". This relates to Julia as no matter how hard she tried to escape the social norms in attempt to being sexually liberated she is still confined by societies views which prevent her from having power so stays at the bottom the hierarchy. Webster has done this to show the power of King James' great chain of being which stated that you were born into your position in the hierarchy and you cannot move from this as Julia stays at the bottom. ��

]]> 2016-11-28 18:59:26 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140298513 Serena https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140344833 In this scene Webster presents Delio’s relationship with Julia as a loveless arrangement, formed to accommodate Delio’s social advancement. This is demonstrated in the quote ‘ ‘tis gold, hath it not a fine colour?’ in which Delio offers Julia money to be his mistress. Initially, this quote could imply that Delio values Julia highly and strongly desires to have relations with her as he equates her worth to gold. This is also suggested by the fact that Delio is asking for Julia's opinion on the appearance and beauty of the gold. Alternatively, this quote could suggest that Delio sees Julia as naïve as he uses her for personal gain. His decision to present Julia with gold rather than Antonio to gain his trust implies that he sees Julia as easily excitable and more likely to be bribed with materialistic objects due to her low status. Therefore, this quote could be received as Delio’s use of Julia as a component in his attempt to be credited by Antonio for keeping his marriage to the Duchess a secret and remaining a loyal friend. The use of the word ‘gold’ is significant as it would have been hard to obtain and as a result further emphasises Delio’s dedication and the lengths he would go to for Antonio’s satisfaction. The desire to obtain trust through gold could stem from Queen Elizabeth’s reign as Sir Walter Raleigh, who became one of her favoured courtiers after supressing an uprising in Munster, was imprisoned in the Tower of London for marrying her maid of honour in secret and attempted to regain her trust by going on an expedition to find El Dorado, the fabled ‘Golden Land’. The little gold he found on his journey played a role in the restoration of his relations with Elizabeth. As Delio presents the gold to Julia and is aware of her extra marital relations with the Cardinal it could suggest he is using her to gain an insight into the Cardinal’s knowledge to determine whether he poses a threat to Antonio. Much like Raleigh, Delio aims to supress the uprising against Antonio and The Duchess which would be caused by their controversial marriage. This implies that any harm done to Julia or her other affairs in the process is seen simply to Delio as collateral damage in his aim to be seen as a dependable friend. Despite the fact that Delio’s actions are carried out at Julia’s expense, his loyalty to Antonio and The Duchess would have been seen as admirable by the 17th century audience as it illustrated the respect those lower in the hierarchy owed to those higher due to the linear gradation of The Great Chain of Being.   As a result the audience would have been uncompassionate towards Delio’s crafty use of Julia as she is insignificant in comparison to Antonio and The Duchess. However, a modern day audience would be firmly against Delio’s sexual exploitation of Julia due to the growing recognition of feminism in recent decades and increased opposition against the exploitation of female sexuality in the media and popular culture. These conflicting receptions of the play are supported by critical analyst, Jankowski who said, ‘Even the honourable Delio's final entrance casts doubt upon this picture of restored patriarchal order’, as to the 17th century audience Delio would be praised and commended for his relations with Julia to gain hierarchical respect while today there would be doubt surrounding his hypermasculinity and the means to which he is given his ‘honourable’ title. 

]]> 2016-11-28 21:16:19 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140344833 Elizabeth https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140361018 In act 2 scene 4, Julia comes across as subservient to the Cardinal; their relationship can be seen as that of a master and his servant. The statement ‘how my lord’ supports the idea of patriarchy and male rule in the 17th century, it also has religious connotations which shows submissiveness and passivity to a power which is higher than her own; reiterating Theodora’s critical reading: defining and confining the duchess which argues that ‘no Language exists for the nature of female rule’, she obeys and rarely questions, that of which was expected in the Jacobean era.

The Cardinal sees their relationship in a different light; he seems to believe he is doing Julia a favour and he plays on her sexual frustration, he implies that out of the kindness of his own heart, he is willing to satisfy her, hence why he believes she should be thankful. ‘you are to thank me’, is a phrase repeated by the Cardinal as he fails to acknowledge his lust and want for her, almost explaining to her that he feels sorry for her and there's nothing more than that, this contrasts the love of Antonio and the Duchess, which is not endorsed and leads to the death of both Antonio and the Duchess, whilst the cardinals and Julia’s relationship remains ongoing till her point of death. 

]]> 2016-11-28 22:50:03 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140361018 xsara xsaramay https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140362003 Webster presents the relationship between the Cardinal and Julia as manipulated, the Cardinal being the superior figure. this is shown through the quote "A man might strive to make glass malleable//Ere should make them fixed".the quote could be interpreted as a metaphor for women used by the cardinal to tell Julia how she is suppose to act as a woman; using the fact that he is a male as well as of higher status as leverage to make her submissive. This can also relate to the 'Divine right of kings' as the cardinal may see himself similar to king James as he uses God to control people and believe is in higher than in 'the great change of being' therefore dominant and influential.
During the 17th century it was expected stereo typically  of women to comply to what males, as it was a patriarchal society. Webster uses this to the cardinal advantage as if Julia goes against him she would be seen as a social outcast as it was unnatural.
This relates to witches as they were also helpless against king James as in 1604 he set the law that any women accused of witchcraft could be punished by death; the witches were women who were helpless against this law similarly to how Julia is powerless against the Cardinal, which may cause her to feel threatened. 
The critic Theodora Jankowsi  supports this with "there is no language for describing the nature of female rule." highlighting Julia couldn't directly defend herself against the cardinal statement as she only reply by saying "so, my lord." giving him more power over her.]]> 2016-11-28 22:57:05 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140362003 Miss Simpson says.. rsimpson5 https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140421145 Rather than using "dog to owner" phrase, think about this relationship in terms of domination and power.]]> 2016-11-29 08:19:36 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140421145 Sharleen https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140446819 Julias relationship with the Cardinal is presented as one that explores the idea of control. Cardinal is very aware that he has power over Castruchio's wife and this is evident through the language that he uses. "I have taken you off your melancholy perch" suggests that Cardinal demands a sense of appreciation from Julia as he recognises himself as the one who has relived her of her emotional discomfort. As a man in the 17th Century, Cardinal, if he wished, would've been able to control Julia physically due to the patriarchal elements that surrounded society at that time. Cardinal implying that he could and had controlled Julia emotionally would've given the audience an overall impression that he was a very powerful and influential figure that had the ability to influence Julia's life in more ways than once. In addition, Julia repeatedly refers to the Cardinal as 'my lord'."The word 'Lord' has connotations of religion which was a very powerful element in Europe in the 17th Century especially after Queen Elizabeth who's aim was to restore the Protestent religion in England. People referred to Jesus and God as their 'Lord's The audience viewing the piece of Jacobean theatre would instantly assume that, at least to Julia, Cardinal was a very high figure with extreme status and the ability to determine the fate and destiny of people he came across. This links to the end of the play when Cardinal kills Julia and also the beginning of the play when we find out that Cardinal was partially responsible for Bosola ending up in the gallies. ]]> 2016-11-29 10:45:52 UTC https://padlet.com/rsimpson5/Duchessact2scene4/wish/140446819