John Webster’s "The Duchess of Malfi". Going above and beyond one's station E-Book

Romy Zhang

• Herausgeber: GRIN Verlag
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Essay from the year 2021 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,7, LMU Munich (Anglistik), course: The Woman Question - Seminar, language: English, abstract: Essay on John Webster's "The Duchess of Malfi", portraying the way the characters aspire above and beyond their own station in society, in a very conservative circle that does not allow for following one's heart. The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster is a compelling and timeless story that provides for a diverting read. One of its most interesting aspects is the way people move outside their ‘station’, i. e. their role assigned by society, especially in terms of gender and class. Attentive readers will remember that the play was written in about 1614 and goes back to the true story of an Italian Duchess’ life in the late 15th and early 16th century (Webster [1614] 1997). Social conventions were much stricter in those days, so The Duchess of Malfi provides some interesting insights into “aspiring above one’s station” and “overreaching” one’s gender. This essay investigates in what way the Duchess moves above her station and how much she overreaches her gender in order to be with the man she loves.