"What cannot a neat knave
with a smooth tale Make a
woman believe?"
Act 1, Scene 1
Women are very
easily swayed by
men.
Could be a
reference to
sexual desire.
"This is flesh, and blood, sir; 'Tis
not the figure cut in alabaster
Kneels at my husband's tomb."
Act 1, Scene 1
Trying to persuade Antonio
that she's a real woman,
not just his distant
ice-queen aristocratic
boss.
She is fighting against the
belief that women can
only marry once, and that
a truly chaste woman is
bound to honour her dead
husband until her own
death.
"Sir"- giving power to
Antonio despite his
lower social rank.
Kneel- imagery of
subjugation to
former husband-
his death allowed
her freedom.
"Whether the spirit of greatness or
of women Reign most in her, I
know not, but it shows A fearful
madness; I owe her much of pity."
Act 1, Scene 1
Possibly thinking that the
Duchess was to hasty in
remarrying.
Possibly thinks that it
was too dangerous and
a sign of madness to
remarry against her
brothers wishes.
Perhaps knows the
extent of the brother
anger that is to come.
Madness could be of love
and lust. Madness could
simply mean that the
action was absurd and
not thought through.
Rash decision.
Cariola helps the Duchess but her final
words leaves the impression that she is
against what the Duchess has done.
Perhaps envy's the fact that the Duchess
can afford to do such things because of
her high status. Many people would
notice the Duchess and her power.
The 'spirit of greatness'
may be referring to the
monarch's power and
'woman' referring to the
Duchess' physical body.
Cariola is essentially highlighting
the tension between the political
body and the personal body. She
is questioning whether the
Duchess had neglected her
duties as a ruler by prioritising
her bodily desires over the need
for stable rule.
"For know, whether I am doomed to
live or die, I can do both like a prince"
Act 3, Scene 2
The Duchess instinctively
responds to Ferdinand's
presence with the dignity
she feels a prince should
publicly display.
The Duchess is at her
strongest in times of
adversity.
Goes against the
social expectations of
women.
"Diamonds are of most value,
they say, that have passed
through most jewellers'
hands."
Act 1, Scene 1
Marriage. In the face of her
brothers' insistence that she not
remarry, the Duchess shoots back
that women ae like diamonds
that accrue value by being
married. Contextually, this has
some releavnce, as women often
married to gain money and
power.
Could be trying to justify
her reason for wanting
to be remarried.
Sees herself as valuable
as she compares herself
to diamonds.
Could be stating that she
believes she can remarry
and that she wasn't 'used' in
her previous marriage. She
benefited from it.