Analysis: The Duchess Battle With The Patriarchy

Miss Independent: The Duchess’ Battle with the Patriarchy A woman of Renaissance-ian nature was stereotypically linked to the male dominant in her life. In contrast, the women that were powerful – and there were plenty – were subject to the idea that the female body was not strong enough to live up to a male counterpart. Rarely is the support of feminism and feminine sexuality seen in a time ruled and respected by powerful males. John Webster, however, presents a character of social prowess and sexual determination in his play The Duchess of Malfi, juxtaposing the social views of a woman with his characterization of the Duchess. The Duchess exudes autonomy in all of her many forms: as a ruler, widow, wife, and sister. Even in her death she

In fact, her relationship with Antonio is one of the most important aspects of this play in regards to the emphasis of her feminine autonomy. Even in today’s society, it is typical and expected of a man to court – as well as men today can – a woman and take the lead of their relationship. The Duchess, though explicitly told not to remarry by her brothers, chooses a man for herself. She explicitly defies the patriarchal system her brothers have placed upon her immediately after he leaves her when she says “Let old wives report/ I wink 'd, and chose a husband”. This man is of a lower social status than she and is well known around the court as one of her stewards; the male is marrying into higher status. Not only this, but she is rebelling against her brothers’ characters by marrying a man who so strongly opposes them in his very being. Antonio is portrayed as a kind and loyal man whereas Ferdinand’s character resembles that of a possessive snake. Not only is she denying the marital stereotype, but she is defying the wishes of the most prominent men in her life: her

Realizing what she has done and who she has done it with, Ferdinand takes it upon himself to torture her until Bosola eventually kills her. In a way, this could be Ferdinand’s way of reclaiming and securing the patriarchy that his sister has so obviously denied. With the Duchess comes power, and that power would be lost if she were to perish. A lost power that a certain patriarch could easily obtain. However, she isn’t finished rebelling just yet. Not only does she make a sudden and brief comeback after being strangled but she professes that even as she dies – and presumably after – she is “Duchess of Malfi still”. She claims her title even in her final moments, dying as the duchess. Nothing more, nothing less. Her title is also a topic of interest as it is the only thing the audience ever knows her as. She isn’t given an informal name – such as Ferdinand or Bosola – but she is known eternally as the Duchess. This suggests that Webster wished for her to remain the powerful feminine figure that she was long after her presence was