The Duchess of Malfi is a Decadent Play
The decadence in The Duches of Malfi is unfolded through
exchanges between court characters in the very opening scenes. The court is
introduced through Antonio and Bosola who share similar satirical viewpoints
and expose the decay beneath aristocratic decorum. In the opening lines of the
play the royal count is described to be a common fountain of “pure silver drops
in genial” from which 
death and disease spread through the whole land. The verbal ambiguity in the exchange between the Cardinal and Bosola highlights the secret relationship. Bosola explicitly demands rewards for past illegal services. It shows that there are evils in the palace. There are intrigues and counter intrigues. The people of the palace hired murderers to achieve their heinous end. The decadent Aragonian brothers are best portrayed in Bosola’s comparison to “plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are rich, and o’erladden with fruit, but none but crows, pies and caterpillars feed on them.” The decay of the Catholic Church in The Duchess of Melt was perhaps well received by the predominantly protestant English playgoers which is manifested through the Cardinal, further symbolized by his exchange of ecclesiastical robes for the Armour.
death and disease spread through the whole land. The verbal ambiguity in the exchange between the Cardinal and Bosola highlights the secret relationship. Bosola explicitly demands rewards for past illegal services. It shows that there are evils in the palace. There are intrigues and counter intrigues. The people of the palace hired murderers to achieve their heinous end. The decadent Aragonian brothers are best portrayed in Bosola’s comparison to “plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are rich, and o’erladden with fruit, but none but crows, pies and caterpillars feed on them.” The decay of the Catholic Church in The Duchess of Melt was perhaps well received by the predominantly protestant English playgoers which is manifested through the Cardinal, further symbolized by his exchange of ecclesiastical robes for the Armour.
is for big question?
ReplyDeleteThe court is introduced through Antonio and Bosola or Antonio and Delio ?
ReplyDeleteVery helpful for me. thanks
ReplyDelete