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The Duchess of Malfi Study Guide

by John Webster

The Duchess of Malfi study guide contains a biography of John Webster, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The Duchess of Malfi takes place in Italy, mostly at the Duchess’s palace in Malfi, in the sixteenth century. The Duchess is a young widow whose two brothers, Ferdinand and the Cardinal, are visiting her from Rome at the play’s start. Antonio, the manager of her household, has just returned from France. Before leaving the Duchess, Ferdinand engages Bosola, previously used by the Cardinal as a hit man, to ostensibly manage the Duchess’s horses, but in reality to spy on her for the brothers so they can be sure she remains chaste and does not remarry. Bosola is reluctant, but eventually agrees.

Before they return to Rome, Ferdinand and the Cardinal lecture the Duchess about the impropriety of remarriage. She insists that she has no plans for…

Read the full The Duchess of Malfi Summary

• The Duchess of Malfi Summary
• About The Duchess of Malfi
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Act 1
• Summary and Analysis of Act 2
• Summary and Analysis of Act 3
• Summary and Analysis of Act 4
• Summary and Analysis of Act 5
• The Real Duchess of Malfi
• Related Links on The Duchess of Malfi
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Duchess of Malfi: Major Themes
• The Duchess of Malfi: Essays
• The Duchess of Malfi: E-Text
• The Duchess of Malfi: Questions
• The Duchess of Malfi: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• John Webster: Biography