The White Devil: Act 5, Scene 4 Summary & Analysis

Young Giovanni, admired by all, has now taken his father’s place as duke. Though Flamineo tries to flatter Giovanni, the young boy sees through this ruse, and he advises Flamineo to study his prayers and “be penitent.” Giovanni exits, but before he does so, he orders a courtier to keep Flamineo away from him. Flamineo reflects that Giovanni “hath his uncle’s villainous look already.”

Meanwhile, Cornelia is deep in mourning for Marcello. Alongside Zanche and other court ladies, she is “winding his grave,” throwing dried herbs on top of his corpse. When Cornelia sees Flamineo, she enters into a kind of madness (or “distraction”). She calls on the plants and animals of the earth to take good care of Marcello’s dead body, and she hopes that he will get into heaven.

Cornelia’s profound grief disturbs Flamineo. And to make matters worse, Brachiano’s ghost appears and throws dirt on Flamineo, who is overcome with “melancholy” as he thinks of the various people he has killed or wounded. Still, rather than repenting, Flamineo decides to kill Vittoria, believing that her death will “turn to good” all these previous wrongs.