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
Download PDF
Download Teacher Edition
AI Tools
New
Tools to make learning and teaching easier
Got It
AI Tools
Ask LitCharts AI
Discussion Question Generator
Essay Prompt Generator
Quiz Question Generator
Guides
Literature Guides
Poetry Guides
Shakespeare Translations
Literary Terms
AI Tools
New
Tools to make learning and teaching easier
Got It
AI Tools
Ask LitCharts AI
Discussion Question Generator
Essay Prompt Generator
Quiz Question Generator
Guides
Literature Guides
Poetry Guides
Shakespeare Translations
Literary Terms
Sign In
Sign up for A
+
Sign up
The Duchess of Malfi
by
John Webster
PDF
Upgrade to A
+
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
Download this Chart (PDF)
Download the Teacher Edition
Get instant help with LitCharts AI
New
Back to Guide
Previous
Act 2, Scene 3 Quiz
The Duchess of Malfi: Act 2, Scene 4 Quiz
3 questions
Next
Act 2, Scene 5 Quiz
Get 3 quizzes by
signing up
for a free account
Test your knowledge of Act 2, Scene 4. Submit your answers to see your results and get feedback.
What does the Cardinal's relationship with Julia demonstrate about his character?
1 of 3
It shows that the Cardinal doesn't mind fraternizing with people in the lower classes
It shows that the Cardinal mistakenly thinks his romantic life is secret
It shows that the Cardinal has a soft spot for people undergoing hardship
It shows that the Cardinal is hypocritical when it comes to his own love life
How does the Cardinal describe his relationship with Julia?
2 of 3
As a knight and a princess
As a sailor and the sea
As a tamer and a falcon
As a king and a queen
What does Delio begin to fear at the end of the scene?
3 of 3
That Antonio's secret has been discovered
That the Cardinal will murder Castruccio
That Julia will flee Rome to escape the Cardinal
That the Duchess won't survive childbirth
Submit
Cite This Page
Choose citation style:
MLA
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.
Copy to Clipboard
Get 3 quizzes a month with a free LitCharts account
You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to take a quiz
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.
Previous
Act 2, Scene 3 Quiz
Previous
Act 2, Scene 3 Quiz
Next
Act 2, Scene 5 Quiz
Next
Act 2, Scene 5 Quiz
Cite This Page
Ask LitCharts AI
Hello! I'm LitCharts AI
Combining the literary wisdom of LitCharts and the power of AI, I can answer your questions about
The Duchess of Malfi
or any other title we cover, instantly.
Get 250 answers per month.
The Duchess of Malfi (Webster)
25 characters required
0/300
Company
About Us
Our Story
Jobs
Support
Help Center
Contact Us
Connect
Facebook
Twitter
Legal
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Privacy Request
Home
About
Contact
Help
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Terms
Privacy
Privacy Request
Save time. Stress less.
Sign up!
AI Tools
for on-demand study help and teaching prep.
Quote explanations,
with page numbers, for over 46,769 quotes.
PDF downloads
of all 2,108 LitCharts guides.
Expert analysis
to take your reading to the next level.
Advanced search
to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Quizzes, saving guides, requests,
plus so much more.
Expert analysis
to take your reading to the next level.
Advanced search
to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Quizzes, saving guides, requests,
plus so much more.
Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account
You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to request a guide
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.
Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account.
You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to access notes and highlights
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.
Saving guides requires a free LitCharts account
Easily access your saved guides anytime.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to save guides
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.