The character of the Duchess of Malfi

The Duchess of Malfi, the protagonist of the trargedy “The Duchess of Malfi” by John Webster, is completely an exceptional character from the typical Jacobean one. The author paints the character with the colour of sensuality, passion, strength, wit, and independence. Now we are going to discuss her character. 

The Duchess of Malfi is the sister of Cardinal and the twin sister of Ferdinand. She is never referred to by name throughout the play. At the very beginning of the play, we see she is a widow, but “still in the bloom of youth”. Actually “The Duchess of Malfi” is a tragedy on a real duchess “Giovanna”, a girl of twelve, married to Alfonso, duke of Amalfi, in 1490. She became widow at the age of twenty in 1498. Later, defying the order of her older brothers she fell in love with a man beneath her class, secretly married and gave birth to three children.  But when her marriage was discovered she along with her husband and children was mercilessly killed.

The Duchess is highly influenced by the sprite of Renaissance. ... 

The Duchess is very indomitable to gratify her own intention. She proves her strength by marring Antonio defying her brother’s warning not to remarry. In her remarriage she is also very lawful. ...

Moreover, we see that, The Duchess has a deep faith in religion. She wants to meet her beloved hereafter. ...

The strength and the firmness of The Duchess shine through the darkness. In the face of the death she is defiant, and fearless. ...

As a free individual, she places passion above the reason. She, being swayed by passion, becomes easily deceived by trusting Bosola with her secret. ...

The Duchess is seen from the start of the play as a lusty character pursuing the affection of Antonio but to us, the Duchess cannot be said as lusty, because every person, in this world, has his or her physical desire.

On the contrary, the Duchess does not want to give any part of her wealth to others. So she should remarry.