The Duchess of Malfi
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Act 1, Scene 1
Act 1, Scene 2
Act 1, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 1
Act 2, Scene 2
Act 2, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 4
Act 2, Scene 5
Act 3, Scene 1
Act 3, Scene 2
Act 3, Scene 3
Act 3, Scene 4
Act 3, Scene 5
Act 4, Scene 1
Act 4, Scene 2
Act 5, Scene 1
Act 5, Scene 2
Act 5, Scene 3
Act 5, Scene 4
Act 5, Scene 5
Themes
All Themes
Politics and Corruption
Love and Male Authority
Guilt, Death, and Suffering
Religion and Sin
Class
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
The Duchess of Malfi
Ferdinand, Duke of Calabria
The Cardinal
Antonio Bologna
Daneil de Bosola
Delio
Julia
Symbols
All Symbols
Poison
Disease
Blood
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices
Alliteration
Allusions
Dramatic Irony
Foil
Foreshadowing
Genre
Hyperbole
Imagery
Irony
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Personification
Setting
Similes
Soliloquy
Style
Tone
Quizzes
All Quizzes
Act 1, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 1, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 1, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 4 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 5 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 4 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 5 Quiz
Act 4, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 4, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 4 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 5 Quiz
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The Duchess of Malfi
by
John Webster
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Introduction
Intro
Plot Summary
Plot
Summary & Analysis
Act 1, Scene 1
Act 1, Scene 2
Act 1, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 1
Act 2, Scene 2
Act 2, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 4
Act 2, Scene 5
Act 3, Scene 1
Act 3, Scene 2
Act 3, Scene 3
Act 3, Scene 4
Act 3, Scene 5
Act 4, Scene 1
Act 4, Scene 2
Act 5, Scene 1
Act 5, Scene 2
Act 5, Scene 3
Act 5, Scene 4
Act 5, Scene 5
Themes
All Themes
Politics and Corruption
Love and Male Authority
Guilt, Death, and Suffering
Religion and Sin
Class
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
The Duchess of Malfi
Ferdinand, Duke of Calabria
The Cardinal
Antonio Bologna
Daneil de Bosola
Delio
Julia
Symbols
All Symbols
Poison
Disease
Blood
Lit Devices
All Literary Devices
Alliteration
Allusions
Dramatic Irony
Foil
Foreshadowing
Genre
Hyperbole
Imagery
Irony
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Personification
Setting
Similes
Soliloquy
Style
Tone
Quizzes
All Quizzes
Act 1, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 1, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 1, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 4 Quiz
Act 2, Scene 5 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 4 Quiz
Act 3, Scene 5 Quiz
Act 4, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 4, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 1 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 2 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 3 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 4 Quiz
Act 5, Scene 5 Quiz
Theme Wheel
Theme Viz
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The Duchess of Malfi: Act 1, Scene 1 Quiz
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Act 1, Scene 2 Quiz
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According to Antonio after returning from France, what impact does corruption have on a country?
1 of 5
It creates a need for stronger military forces
It leads to political alliances with other countries
It brings unchecked economic prosperity
It leads to the spread of death and suffering
What is Bosola known for?
2 of 5
His good looks
Playing the lute
Murder
Archery
What early indication of the Cardinal's corruption is suggested in the play's opening scene?
3 of 5
The Cardinal most likely ordered Bosola to commit murder
The Cardinal has been embezzling money from the church
The Cardinal has been scheming to murder Bosola
The Cardinal has been lying to Antonio and Delio
What is the significance of Bosola's comparison of court to hospital beds?
4 of 5
It presents court as a place of healing and recovery
It presents court as a place of illness and suffering
It casts Bosola as an outsider who criticizes court
It casts Bosola as someone who flatters his superiors
Who sent Bosola to the galleys?
5 of 5
Antonio
The Cardinal
The Duchess
None of the above
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Ginsberg, Jacob. "The Duchess of Malfi."
LitCharts.
LitCharts LLC, 19 Apr 2017. Web. 5 Apr 2025.
Ginsberg, Jacob. "The Duchess of Malfi." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 19 Apr 2017. Web. 5 Apr 2025.
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