The Duchess of Malfi Characters
TD
The Duchess of Malfi
Protagonist
Also known as: Duchess of Amalfi
Kind
Wise
Brave
Virtuous
A young widow and ruler of the Italian town of Malfi. Despite her brothers' attempts to control her life, she secretly marries her steward Antonio. She remains composed and courageous even when arrested and ultimately killed.
DF
Duke Ferdinand
Antagonist
Proud
Cruel
Controlling
Jealous
The Duchess's twin brother who is consumed by pride and rage. He refuses to allow his sister to remarry and hires Bosola to spy on her. His guilt over her death eventually drives him to madness, specifically lycanthropy.
TC
The Cardinal
Antagonist
Hypocritical
Calculating
Deceptive
Evil
The Duchess's other brother and a churchman who conceals his wickedness behind a calm exterior. He maintains a secret lover, Julia, whom he eventually murders with a poisoned Bible. He is ultimately killed by Bosola.
AB
Antonio Bologna
Supporting
Honest
Kind
Loyal
Devoted
The Duchess's steward whom she secretly marries. He is a man of integrity who flees to protect their son when danger closes in. He is tragically killed by Bosola in a case of mistaken identity.
DD
Daniel de Bosola
Supporting
Also known as: Bosola
Morally conflicted
Guilt-ridden
Obedient
Ruthless
A spy and soldier hired by Ferdinand to surveil the Duchess. He initially obeys the brothers without question but later develops a deep sense of guilt over his actions. He attempts to atone by killing the Cardinal and Ferdinand, though he himself dies in the process.
D
Delio
Supporting
Loyal
Trustworthy
Supportive
Steadfast
Antonio's close and trusted friend who is privy to the secret marriage. He assists Antonio throughout the play and ultimately takes on the responsibility of protecting Antonio's only surviving son.
J
Julia
Supporting
Flirtatious
Bold
Unfaithful
Impulsive
The Cardinal's secret lover and the wife of Castruccio. She is known for flirting with other men and develops feelings for Bosola. She is murdered by the Cardinal, who tricks her into kissing a poisoned Bible.
C
Cariola
Supporting
Loyal
Brave
Devoted
Trustworthy
The Duchess's personal maid and confidante who is aware of the secret marriage. She remains steadfastly loyal to her mistress until the very end and is killed alongside the Duchess.
C
Castruccio
Minor
Passive
Cuckolded
Old
An elderly nobleman who is married to Julia. He is largely a peripheral figure, notable mainly for the fact that his wife is unfaithful to him.
MO
Marquis of Pescara
Minor
Honorable
Honest
Principled
A soldier and courtier distinguished by his strong sense of honor and integrity. He stands apart from the moral corruption that surrounds the other characters at court.
CM
Count Malateste
Minor
Courtly
Affiliated with Ferdinand
A courtier and associate of Duke Ferdinand. He plays a minor role within the political world of the play.
S
Silvio
Minor
Courtly
Loyal to Ferdinand
A courtier based at Amalfi who aligns himself with Duke Ferdinand. He appears in a supporting capacity within the court setting.
OL
Old Lady
Minor
Functional
Peripheral
A midwife who appears in scenes alongside Bosola. She serves a minor functional role in the narrative.
R
Roderigo
Minor
Subservient
Courtly
A courtier in the service of Duke Ferdinand. He plays a small background role in the play.
G
Grisolan
Minor
Subservient
Courtly
Another courtier serving Duke Ferdinand. Like Roderigo, he occupies a minor background role at court.
D
Doctor
Minor
Clinical
Observational
A physician who examines Duke Ferdinand and diagnoses him with lycanthropy, a mental illness in which the sufferer believes himself to be a wolf.
M
Madmen
Symbolic
Chaotic
Unsettling
Unintentionally comforting
A group of insane individuals sent by Ferdinand to terrorise the Duchess. Ironically, the Duchess remains calm in their presence and even finds a degree of comfort in their company, highlighting her extraordinary composure.
E
Executioners
Minor
Obedient
Merciless
Agents acting on Ferdinand's orders who carry out the strangulation of the Duchess, her maid Cariola, and her children. They represent the brutal enforcement of tyrannical power.
P
Pilgrims
Symbolic
Observational
Morally aware
A group of pilgrims who witness the banishment of the Duchess and Antonio. They serve as an external moral voice, commenting on the cruelty they observe and providing a broader perspective on events.
S
Servants
Minor
Varied loyalty
Functional
Various household staff who appear throughout the play. Some are loyal to the Duchess while others are not, and several perish during the course of events.
C
Children
Minor
Innocent
Vulnerable
The three children born to the Duchess and Antonio. The two younger children are killed on Ferdinand's orders, while the eldest survives under the protection of Delio.