How should I revise The Duchess of Malfi for the exam?
- The foundations of solid revision consist of sufficient quote banks, organised both thematically and by character. For example, the Duchess of Malfi largely deals with female authority and the juxtaposition of domestic and public spheres but, while quotes from the Duchess herself and perhaps her brothers should be prioritised, inserting minor characters such as Julia and Cariola helps avoid 'wide' thematic essays exhausting 2-3 characters. Quote banks revolving around a single character can be helpful in the form of a debate: eg. supporting 'Antonio is a good husband' vs. supporting 'Antonio is a useless husband'. 2. Revise Webster's biography and how this shaped his plays. For example, it is widely accepted that he worked at one of the Inns of Court, sparking the legal interest seen in some of his plays such as The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi. The similarities between these two plays could also be considered, and the failure of the former for its intellectual complexity which was more popular in the latter’s production. 3. Remember, when writing about plays it is important to consider both the original staging and subsequent productions which show any examiner wider research and an awareness of differing interpretations. Lighting and femininity/maturity can be explored with a discussion of Jacobean productions and more recent productions can beautifully illustrate an argument. 4. Context is useful to any play, but it is essential to unlocking many of Webster's intellectual allusions and the true political critique that he so carefully masked in the Italian setting. This list is by no means exhaustive but as a good starting point for areas which should be revised: the story of Giovanna d'Aragona and her affair with her steward, the connotations of the Italian setting, the contemporary opinion of Italians as dishonest and scheming, the Jacobean court and an increased assertion of female dominance. The portrayal of the Catholic Church is also particularly unflattering - this can be adequately explained by reviewing contemporary English ideas of Christian ethics and reception of Machiavelli's ruthless 'The Prince'. 5. Criticism embellishes any essay, and can be best exercised with some awareness of how critics changed viewpoint over time. In this respect, it should be interesting to consider the contemporary popularity of Jacobean gore for its shock-horror, progressing into a general dismissal of its principles in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, the 20th century brought a new appreciation of its macabre quality, so getting a good mix of critics' opinions ensures that you are prepared for any question. You shouldn't overuse critics' opinions, however - don't be afraid to assert your own opinion (although I would dissuade from using personal pronouns in an essay).
Answered by Orlaith F. • English Literature tutor
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