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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Act 5, Scene 1 Quiz
The Duchess of Malfi: Act 5, Scene 2 Quiz
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Act 5, Scene 3 Quiz
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What is the condition lycanthropia, as described in the play?
1 of 11
It is a disease that causes people to behave like wolves
It is a condition where people grow fur on their hands
It is a disease that causes people to have hallucinations
It is a condition where people think they're wolves and dig up corpses
What does Ferdinand's lycanthropia suggest about his emotional state?
2 of 11
He is so angry that he can't contain himself
He is experiencing guilt that is driving him to madness
He is excited about his newfound emotional transformation
He has stopped taking care of his body
What is the Doctor's initial approach to curing Ferdinand's madness?
3 of 11
The Doctor plans to act insane alongside Ferdinand
The Doctor tries to scare Ferdinand into sanity
The Doctor proposes a traditional medicinal treatment
The Doctor suggests isolating Ferdinand
What is the Cardinal's fear concerning Ferdinand's madness?
4 of 11
He fears Ferdinand will physically attack him
He fears that Ferdinand will reveal what they've done
He fears that Ferdinand's madness is contagious
He fears that Ferdinand will ruin the family name
When the Cardinal lies to Pescara about Ferdinand's condition, what does his fabricated story suggest about his own state?
5 of 11
It suggests that he is still capable of effortlessly manipulating people
It suggests that he is seeking revenge against Ferdinand
It suggests that he is beginning to feel increasingly guilty
It suggests that he is seeking revenge against Ferdinand
What does the Cardinal do as a way of looking innocent?
6 of 11
He delivers a speech about his close relationship with God
He pretends not to know about the Duchess's death
He dresses up like the Duchess and praises himself
He wears a nice suit and teaches everyone to dance
What effect does the Cardinal's demeanor have on Bosola?
7 of 11
His cunning manipulation inspires Bosola to behave similarly
His murderous fury frightens Bosola and encourages him to flee
His immorality prompts Bosola to forgive himself for what he has done
All of the above
Why does Bosola become interested in Julia?
8 of 11
Because she is beautiful and charming
Because he is impressed by her bravery and determination
Because he realizes he can use her to get information
Because she educates him on proper flirtation and flattery
In his conversation with Julia, what does the Cardinal say about secrets?
9 of 11
He says that they are a form of necessary evil
He says that they are like poison
He says that they make life interesting
He says that they give people power
How does the Cardinal ensure Julia's silence about the secret?
10 of 11
He threatens her
He promises to reward her
He locks her in a room
He poisons her
What does Bosola seek from the Cardinal?
11 of 11
He wants payment for his service
He demands an explanation for Julia's death
He seeks revenge for the Duchess's murder
He wants the Cardinal's protection against Ferdinand
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Ginsberg, Jacob. "The Duchess of Malfi."
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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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