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“The Duchess of Malfi” fits into the revenge tragedy genre.
Violence and Injustice: Revenge is a key element in “The Duchess of Malfi.” It all starts with the injustice and violence against the Duchess. The Duchess is a widow, and she secretly marries Antonio, a man below her class. Her two brothers—Ferdinand and the Cardinal—are very angry about her marriage. They do not care about their sister’s happiness. All they care about is her wealth. Moreover, Ferdinand also has an incestuous desire for the Duchess.
The two brothers hire Bosola to spy on the Duchess. Bosola is a cunning and cruel criminal. When they learn that the Duchess is married and pregnant, Ferdinand becomes blind with rage and jealousy. He says:
“I would have their bodies
Burnt in a coal-pit…”
This line shows his violent nature. Ferdinand has her imprisoned and tortured brutally. They also plan to kill her husband, Antonio, and her children. Eventually, they kill the Duchess and her two children brutally. The murder of the Duchess is very tragic and unjust. She is innocent and kind, but she suffers terribly. This unfair killing is the main event that leads to revenge in the play.
Death and Madness: We find death and madness in a revenge tragedy. “The Duchess of Malfi” is full of murder and madness. Ferdinand and the Cardinal torture the Duchess, only because she wants love and happiness. Ferdinand orders Bosola to kill her. Some executioners arrive and strangle the Duchess and her two children in the prison. After the Duchess’ death, Ferdinand immediately feels guilty. He says:
“Cover her face: mine eyes dazzle: she died young.”
Later, Ferdinand’s sense of guilt makes him mad.
Bosola’s Regret and Revenge: The brutal murder also leaves a deep impact on Bosola. He begins to feel regret. He admits:
“I am angry with myself now that I wake.”
This line shows his regret. It becomes a turning point for his character. He realizes that Ferdinand and the Cardinal used him to kill an innocent woman. Moreover, when Ferdinand refuses to pay him for his services, he becomes furious. Bosola switches sides and decides to help Antonio. Now, he wants to take revenge on Ferdinand and the Cardinal.
Death and Darkness: In most revenge tragedies, revenge only brings more pain and destruction. The same thing happens in this play. Bosola accidentally kills Antonio. At the end, Ferdinand, the Cardinal, and Bosola all die. The stage is left full of dead bodies, just like in other revenge tragedies. In his final moment, Bosola realizes that the world is full of evil:
“O, this gloomy world!
…deep pit of darkness.”
To sum up, “The Duchess of Malfi” is a strong example of a revenge tragedy. It has all the main features: violence, killing, madness, guilt, and revenge. Bosola is the tragic avenger. His revenge leads to more deaths. Webster shows that in a corrupt world, revenge does not bring justice—it brings more pain.
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