Deceit in Duchess and Streetcar by Isabel Swift https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm Key connections / comparisons en-us 2018-05-15 09:20:28 UTC 2020-04-05 15:34:35 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/26d4.png Self deceit and denial of truths too horrible to acknowledge issyswift https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490546541 1. Ferdinand  =  incestuous feelings for Duchess repressed:
"Talk to me somewhat quickly,. Or my imagination will carry me To see her in the shameful act of sin."

"You are in this Too strict; and were you not my princely brother, I would say, too willful."

This results in a jealousy and disgust for the Duchess's sexuality:
"So you have some virgins / That are witches"
"This darkness suits you well"
"
2. Stella = reality of her abusive, imprisoning marriage repressed:

"I'm not in anything I want to get out of"
"He didn't know what he was doing …. He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he's really very, very ashamed of himself."

Resulting in denial and escapism through sexuality:
"there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark—that sort of make everything else seem—unimportant"
"how you loved it, having them colored lights going!"]]> 2020-04-03 08:46:14 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490546541 https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490589063 The deceit which is apparent within Machiavellian Italy, the legal system being described as a, "cobweb," masked with the image of justice and protection of the people, however the reality being its purpose was to benefit the elite, results in corruption and the malcontent within unfulfilled social climbers, leading to desperate plotting and death.

This is similarly seen within the supposed vibrant, progressive city of New Orleans, the reality being, insecure New South citizens desperate to fulfil the idea they could "get anywhere," (American dream), leading to the cruel corruption of those surrounding them, who threatened their progress (seen clearly through Stanley and Blanche's relationship) "nobody's going to get up so don't be worried," "what queen do you think you are?" "every man is a king," "not stayin' here after Tuesday."

]]> 2020-04-03 09:07:32 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490589063 The Duchess and Blanche are both deceitful. https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490780259 The Duchess is deceitful when she (tries) to hide her marriage and three children from her brothers. One could argue that it was her brothers (particularly Ferdinand) delayed knowledge of these facts that made her peripeteia even worse for her and her family. Even though her brothers are exceptionally cruel she still loves them because they are family which could have made her decision to hide her family from them even harder.

This can be compared to Blanche's deceit of her past from the people she cares about: mainly Stella and Mitch. This could also be linked to her self-denial that she actually did anything wrong in her past life for her to be ashamed of. Quotation: "I don't want realism."]]> 2020-04-03 10:46:20 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490780259 Duchess and Antonio https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490817543 The lies they tell or keep, helps them stay afloat till the duchess exploits them to Bosola ]]> 2020-04-03 11:10:47 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490817543 The men in the play use deceit as well. https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490822482 Both Ferdinand and Stanley to some extent put on a front. Ferdinand hides the real reason that he hates the Duchess being in another relationship, "do not ask" is repeated. Stanley hides any sensitivity he may feel and where he asks "What do you mean by saying you'll have to burn them?" may be seen to betray him a bit.

(In these cases, Stanley's use of deception may be seen as slightly more sympathetic than Ferdinand's.)

In spite of their own use of deception, they punish the women for theirs which reflects on the hypocritical nature of patriarchal society.]]> 2020-04-03 11:14:16 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490822482 necessary deceit https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490823822 both blanche and the duchess use deceit as a form of protection.

blanche lies about her promiscuous past so that she can marry mitch and be secure

the duchess uses deceit to hide her marriage from her brothers to keep her family safe.

however, although it's necessary for both to lie, a modern audience might sympathise with the duchess more because she hasn't done anything wrong whereas, arguably, blanche was partially to blame so she also lies out of shame and self-denial.]]> 2020-04-03 11:15:08 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490823822 Blanche and Bosola https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490823840 Both Blanche and Bosola wear a mask or costume of some sort, Bosola can be seen wearing a mask in some scenes for example Act 3 scene 5 "I'd beat that counterfeit face into thy other", were as Blanche wears white to create an image of purity as well as having a "trunk" full of costumes. These two might use deceit to survive in these societies; as well as to cover up what they are truly doing which are seen as negative maybe by period audiences and modern audiences, Bosola being a spy for Ferdinand and Blanche being a women controlled by her sexuality.
 ]]> 2020-04-03 11:15:09 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490823840 Costume Change https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490824885 Cardinal through  most of the play is walking around in his religious get-up, but then you have that moment in Act 3 Scene 4 when you watch him change into his soldier duds. He shifts from being just a cunning "melancholy churchman" into a more Serious Business, martial figure. "habit of a soldier"

this could link with blanche and her obsession to dress into a different character, how it gives her power to be someone of a higher power. "Physical beauty is passing - a transitory possession"]]> 2020-04-03 11:15:51 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490824885 Predatory Deceit through objects https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490827238 Both Stanley and Ferdinand use predatory deceit against the female counterparts using objects.

Stanley decieves blanche on her birthday with the promise of a gift which is then discovered to be a ticket to whence she came. Causing fear to strike her heart as she remembers the past that she tried to cover up.

Ferdinand decieves the duchess by handing her a wax hand for her to kiss instead of a real one - sending a strike of fear into her heart as she believes that the hand she is holding is real.]]> 2020-04-03 11:17:22 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490827238 Both heroines in a Streetcar Named Desire and The Duchess of Malfi use deceit as a survival mechanism due to the sexual hypocrisy that pervades society. "Sister" Blanche claims to have "old fashioned ideals" when courting Mitch, when the dramatic irony is that we know only too well that this is not the case. One reading is that Blanche is manipulating Mitch for selfish means, as she does not truly love him, she simply wants "protection". However, I feel a stronger reading is that this is necessary for Blanche's very survival, as women at the time needed marriage in order to be economically stable. On the other hand, The Duchess admits she only has "half a blush" and is arguably more honest with Antonio; she is fully aware that she is no longer an innocent virgin. However, both aristocratic heroines do seduce a lower class man deceptively. The Duchess "part(s) with it(her wedding ring) to her second husband" pretending to aid Antonio's eye irritation. The Duchess could be read in a more sympathetic light as this is a direct result of societal impression. Blanche also lies for similar reasons. However, the Duchess is arguably more honest and open in regard to her sexuality with Antonio in comparison to Blanche with Mitch. A Jacobean audience may view the Duchess's behaviour as unforgivable as she breaks class, familial and patriarchal laws. A modern audience may be more sympathetic with the Duchess's behaviour and would not judge her. https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490829038 2020-04-03 11:18:34 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490829038 https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490830054 In ADOM, it seems the the ability to manipulate and lie is what enables you to thrive and maintain buoyancy in society. For example, The Duchess and Antonio would be able to survive as long as their lies keep them afloat. However, it is Bosola's deceit which enables him to gain status from his professional drive. He is therefore able to lure the duchess in and lie to her in order to get her killed.

This could be similar to Stanley's eavesdropping scene where he uses his deceit to gain valuable intelligence over Blanche and provide himself reasons to tear her down from society.]]> 2020-04-03 11:19:19 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490830054 The men almost enjoy female deceit https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490840744 TDOM= ‘thou art a witty false one’=the cardinal is impressed with Julia’s deceit, she told Castruccio she l was going to pray. 
Adds to idea that women are untrustworthy But ironic because he is breaking everyone of his priestly vows. Therefore is female deceit used to show male hypocrisy in this ‘melancholy churchman’ ? 
‘Out of your own guilt’=finds her falsehood amusing=he is a sadomasochist character who is gratified by humiliating her deceit. 

ASND= Blanche’s deceit is her hamartia. Like Julia, she lies to hide her promiscuity. Blanche is ‘bathing’= symbolic of how she is trying to cleanse and purify herself from promiscuous sins. She feels internal guilt because of her ‘intimacies with strangers’ which leads to external deceit BUT Stanley discovers this and enjoys discovering the truth that ‘sister Blanche is no lily’. He has finally found something that lowers her status, her past. ‘That girl calls me common’. He clearly enjoys and thrives on this discovery just like the Cardinal finds Julia’s lies entertaining. It gives both the men a sense of self-gratification and empowerment by discovering this.]]> 2020-04-03 11:26:37 UTC https://padlet.com/issyswift/rgzotpkt6uqm/wish/490840744