Ferdinand, was the Duke of Calabria, and a twin brother to the duchess of Malfi. As the readers get further into the play they are made aware of the strange behavior taking place regarding his sister. His insane obsession with his sister is demonstrated throughout the whole play and starts to present itself in Act I. I. 252-253 where Ferdinand inserts Bosola into the Duchess’ life as a master of horse so he can spy on her. Ferdinand is adamant that since his sister is a young widow, she should not marry a second time. The Duchess is a noble widowed woman who is trying to demand respect from her two brothers by refusing to abide by the ways of the male dominance in the Renaissance times. In Ferdinand’s defense it is common for the patriarch
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Ferdinand finally reaps the benefits of planting Bosola as a spy, when he finds proof that the Duchess has not only married another man but she secretly bears a child with him. As this information angers Ferdinand he initially does nothing because he does not know her new husband’s identity. This information motivates Ferdinand to take revenge on his sister. He goes to her bedroom to get a confession and under Ferdinand’s threats she confesses to her second marriage, but now refuses to reveal the identity of her …show more content…
It is not known to the reader if it is out of jealousy, anger or the fact that he could not control his sister, like it is normally done by the patriarch of the times. In my opinion I believe he did it out of jealousy because he is way too concerned about his sister’s sexuality. Ferdinand successfully captures, imprisons, and then executes his own sister for marrying a man inferior to their aristocratic heritage. As she is imprisoned I am sure she realizes she has underestimated her brother’s capacity for evil. Ferdinand is a cruel and a violent man as seen in Act IV. I 57-62 he gives a dead man’s hand to the Duchess. Also, in Act IV. II 329-400 he has the Duchess, two of her children, and her maid Cariola strangled with a noose. I believe that it is symbolic in Act IV.II 380 that the Duchess is hung with a noose representing her wedding ring the executioner states, “Here’s your wedding ring”. This is in reference to the Duchess as well as her
Ferdinand finally reaps the benefits of planting Bosola as a spy, when he finds proof that the Duchess has not only married another man but she secretly bears a child with him. As this information angers Ferdinand he initially does nothing because he does not know her new husband’s identity. This information motivates Ferdinand to take revenge on his sister. He goes to her bedroom to get a confession and under Ferdinand’s threats she confesses to her second marriage, but now refuses to reveal the identity of her …show more content…
It is not known to the reader if it is out of jealousy, anger or the fact that he could not control his sister, like it is normally done by the patriarch of the times. In my opinion I believe he did it out of jealousy because he is way too concerned about his sister’s sexuality. Ferdinand successfully captures, imprisons, and then executes his own sister for marrying a man inferior to their aristocratic heritage. As she is imprisoned I am sure she realizes she has underestimated her brother’s capacity for evil. Ferdinand is a cruel and a violent man as seen in Act IV. I 57-62 he gives a dead man’s hand to the Duchess. Also, in Act IV. II 329-400 he has the Duchess, two of her children, and her maid Cariola strangled with a noose. I believe that it is symbolic in Act IV.II 380 that the Duchess is hung with a noose representing her wedding ring the executioner states, “Here’s your wedding ring”. This is in reference to the Duchess as well as her