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Thursday, 4 April 2013

Duchess of Malfi, John Webster - An A-Z post

Picture courtesy of www.amazon.it
The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster was the second set text of study, following the theme of love and death in the Renaissance.

A tragedy play, it has the unusual factor of the hero being a woman, the Duchess of the title. She is a widow, which has granted her power which she would not have otherwise gained, having been under the influence of her father, brothers and then husband.
Now that she is free, as it were, from all of these dominating male figures, she should be able to live her life how she wishes.

As in tales such as this though, it is never as simple as that. She has wishes to marry again, but her brothers are concerned that she will marry beneath her and dilute their pure bloodline. They make it clear that she is not to undertake such a decision, but she does anyway in secret.

Inevitably, the tale ends badly for many involved, with the death count seeming to rocket.

This play is studied alongside Shakespeare's Othello, of which you will have to wait to hear about in a later post!


A to Z Challenge [2013]
 
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This post is part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. To get involved and check out other blogs taking part just click here. You won't be disappointed!


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12 comments:

  1. This sounds like an interesting play. I wonder if my library will have a copy...we've come a long way since then, eh?

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    1. We have. I really enjoyed reading it, it was a nice contrast to Shakespeare.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Its exhilarating seeing faces in the crowd looking up toward you. Sometimes the best way to memorize lines is to sing them into your head.

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    1. I'd love to get into acting and give it a go. I'll have to try and make the time.

      Thanks for commenting.

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  3. Ohmigawsh! This sounds fascinating and since I have never heard of it, even MORE fascinating. There are so many plays to read (and to act in) I just don't seem to have enough time... argh!!

    I am so glad I popped in from A-to-Z. I'm trying to get to as many folks as possible as often as I can, so I will look forward to reading more of your words!

    Happy A to Z-ing!
    Julie Jordan Scott
    Our Literary Grannies from A to Z: D is for Denise Chavez
    tweet me - @juliejordanscot

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Julie. I've been trying to stop by as many blogs as I can too, but there are so many! Good luck with the challenge!

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  4. I've never heard of that play. I'll have to check it out.

    KC @ The Occasional Adventures of a Hermit & Oh Frog It

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    1. Thanks for dropping by. The play is a good one to read, even if it is a tragedy.

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  5. I've never heard of this play either. A woman with a bunch of men controlling her life -- what an unusual theme. :)

    Jan at Website
    Beyond Acadia
    Faith Talk
    Swamp Lily Review

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    1. I hadn't heard of it until I read it, but I was glad to be introduced to it. Thanks for dropping in.

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  6. I've never heard of this either... thanks for sharing it.

    You changed your picture right? I like it ;)

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    1. I have, thank you for noticing! My last one was a wedding photo, which I love, but I wanted something a bit less personal I suppose.

      Happy Friday!

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