Dempster 4
With this line, she points to her own Christ like humility and, in reference to princes’ palaces, admonishes her brothers’ fortunes and pride, which puts her in the place of the perfect master. As an example of a good prince, the Duchess is just as willing to step down to the level of servant as she is willing to raise them up. Therefore, what makes a good prince and a bad prince is framed by the religious references because Christ raises up faithful servants and is humble, unlike Ferdinand who surrounds himself with yes men who advise him that “It is fitting a soldier arise to be a prince, but not necessary a prince descend to be a captain” (1.2 15-16). This attitude is completely opposite that of the Duchess who attempts to …show more content…
He is Judas all the way through to his moment of regret for the Duchess’ death, just as Judas regrets his betrayal of Christ, when he decides to turn coat, even promising Antonio to be on his side. But in a fascinating moment, Webster makes Bosola kill Antonio. I say makes because it is convoluted for his character to suddenly lack discretion on who he fights in the dark; he easily could have attacked a servant, but he didn’t care. In the end, we have to realize that this is the man who killed all the other characters and, by his own fascination with fruit as a representation of character, we must condemn him, even in his repentance. Bosola is the one who …show more content…
Here, he claims that there is a mix of pure lovers and many reward seeking lovers, failing to see that he is the example of the latter. He is the perfect example of a bad tree producing only bad fruit as he seeks to bring more death in retribution for death. Meanwhile, Antonio, who has the greatest right to revenge, instead seeks reconciliation with the Cardinal. As a representation of a good servant Antonio doesn’t actually seek advancement and recognizes the danger within his raising of status. But as Antonio notes about Bosola “He rails at those things which he wants” (1.1 26), Bosola consistently claims one thing, and does another. Despite all of his well-meaning intentions by the end of the play, because of the allegorical figure he acts as and the allegorical language he uses, we must recognize that Webster means to wholly condemn this man who cares only for his own
With this line, she points to her own Christ like humility and, in reference to princes’ palaces, admonishes her brothers’ fortunes and pride, which puts her in the place of the perfect master. As an example of a good prince, the Duchess is just as willing to step down to the level of servant as she is willing to raise them up. Therefore, what makes a good prince and a bad prince is framed by the religious references because Christ raises up faithful servants and is humble, unlike Ferdinand who surrounds himself with yes men who advise him that “It is fitting a soldier arise to be a prince, but not necessary a prince descend to be a captain” (1.2 15-16). This attitude is completely opposite that of the Duchess who attempts to …show more content…
He is Judas all the way through to his moment of regret for the Duchess’ death, just as Judas regrets his betrayal of Christ, when he decides to turn coat, even promising Antonio to be on his side. But in a fascinating moment, Webster makes Bosola kill Antonio. I say makes because it is convoluted for his character to suddenly lack discretion on who he fights in the dark; he easily could have attacked a servant, but he didn’t care. In the end, we have to realize that this is the man who killed all the other characters and, by his own fascination with fruit as a representation of character, we must condemn him, even in his repentance. Bosola is the one who …show more content…
Here, he claims that there is a mix of pure lovers and many reward seeking lovers, failing to see that he is the example of the latter. He is the perfect example of a bad tree producing only bad fruit as he seeks to bring more death in retribution for death. Meanwhile, Antonio, who has the greatest right to revenge, instead seeks reconciliation with the Cardinal. As a representation of a good servant Antonio doesn’t actually seek advancement and recognizes the danger within his raising of status. But as Antonio notes about Bosola “He rails at those things which he wants” (1.1 26), Bosola consistently claims one thing, and does another. Despite all of his well-meaning intentions by the end of the play, because of the allegorical figure he acts as and the allegorical language he uses, we must recognize that Webster means to wholly condemn this man who cares only for his own