The Duchess of Malfi | Themes
Fate and Belief
Considering that one of the main characters of The Duchess of Malfi is a Cardinal, one of the highest-ranking officials in the Roman Catholic Church, there is a surprising lack of reference to God in the play. The characters do not turn to God for help in trouble, and they do not seek forgiveness when they come to believe they have acted wrongly. The only certainty in life is death, and there is no promise here of an afterlife. The world of The Duchess of Malfi is controlled not by God, but by fate.
Ferdinand is the...
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- The Duchess of Malfi: Introduction
- The Duchess of Malfi: Summary
- The Duchess of Malfi: John Webster Biography
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The Duchess of Malfi: Summary and Analysis
- Act 1, Scene 1: Summary and Analysis
- Act 1, Scene 2: Summary and Analysis
- Act 2, Scenes 1-2: Summary and Analysis
- Act 2, Scenes 3-5: Summary and Analysis
- Act 3, Scenes 1-2: Summary and Analysis
- Act 3, Scenes 3-5: Summary and Analysis
- Act 4, Scene 1: Summary and Analysis
- Act 4, Scene 2: Summary and Analysis
- Act 5, Scene 1: Summay and Analysis
- Act 5, Scene 2: Summary and Analysis
- Act 5, Scenes 3-5: Summary and Analysis
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The Duchess of Malfi: Quizzes
- Act 1, Scene 1: Questions and Answers
- Act 1, Scene 2: Questions and Answers
- Act 2, Scenes 1-2: Questions and Answers
- Ace 2, Scenes 3-5: Questions and Answers
- Act 3, Scenes 1-2: Questions and Answers
- Act 3, Scenes 3-5: Questions and Answers
- Act 4, Scene 1: Questions and Answers
- Act 4, Scene 2: Questions and Answers
- Act 5, Scene 1: Questions and Answers
- Act 5, Scenes 2: Questions and Answers
- Act 5, Scene 3-5: Questions and Answers
- The Duchess of Malfi: Themes
- The Duchess of Malfi: Style
- The Duchess of Malfi: Historical Context
- The Duchess of Malfi: Critical Overview
- The Duchess of Malfi: Character Analysis
- The Duchess of Malfi: Essays and Criticism
- The Duchess of Malfi: Suggested Essay Topics
- The Duchess of Malfi: Sample Essay Outlines
- The Duchess of Malfi: Compare and Contrast
- The Duchess of Malfi: Topics for Further Study
- The Duchess of Malfi: Media Adaptations
- The Duchess of Malfi: What Do I Read Next?
- The Duchess of Malfi: Bibliography and Further Reading
- The Duchess of Malfi: Pictures
- Copyright
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