This initial meeting of bosola gives the audience a mindset that labels bosola as an immoral character. The duchess of malfi character analysis course hero. At the opening of the play, the audience is made to believe that the stage machiavel is the malcontent bosola, and this illusion continues as we witness bosola strike at everyone from the shadows. Bosola is the most important character in the duchess of malfi, particularly when considering morality and function, and one could make the case that bosola is websters intended protagonist. Bosola tells ferdinand and the cardinal that the duchess is pregnant. The concept and operational definitions of situational favorability as used by fiedler 1967 were adopted to study the effect of this moderating variable on the relationship between machiavellian ism and leadership behavior. It is interesting, for instance, that in the two plays that could be considered websters best. British populace had strong associations linking italy with machiavellian principles as well as political schemes, poisonings, sensational murders, and revengelust that combines both scheming and violence jones 254261. However, if there is one character that does have a philosophical input to the play it is the ever perceptive bosola, who ironically is in line with the slasher genre of the play is a hired killer. He also seems to possess some attributes of the stereotypical machiavellian character. Bosola can either be seen as an evil machiavellian character to an extent as at time he conveys compassion, or an unwitting pawn who is just doing his job bosola potentially conveys an insight to the reader about the future in the play, saying there are acts of corruption. She is a woman of strong character and deep feeling.
Method of disclosure in my discussion of each villain i shall mention possible sources for the character webster has developed in each of the three plays. Secondly, it features some of the genres most typical characteristics. While bosolas not high on our list of eligible bachelors were looking at you, julia, hes definitely topping the one for interesting characters. The term machiavellian originates from an italian diplomat, niccolo machiavelli, who wrote a classic treatise, the prince, in 15 machiavelli,196615. A successful machiavellian leader consists of five crucial characteristics and traits.
The stage machiavel in the duchess of malfi readersdoor. The duchess of malfi the duchess of malfi mahlfee, the sister of duke ferdinand and the cardinal. That is what makes characters like iago from shakespeares othello such archetypal machiavels. He is employed by ferdinand to spy on the duchess in hopes of keeping her away from marriage. Bosola can be described as a convincing character as unlike some of the characters in the play, his opinions and principles change throughout. And then, instead of being consumed by his melancholy, bosola finds that his equivocal moral sense is clarified by pity and his own adversity. Machiavellian villain and tragic hero miss scoffhams. A revision 2 of the original machiavellianism scale 1 which divided machiavellianism into factors was used. Thousands of free ebooks of classic literature for kindle, tablet, online browser or smart phone. Machiavellianism is a political theory and one of the dark triad of personality traits, in psychology, based on the teachings of niccolo machiavelli.
Bosola s character, when compared to others in the play, is very impure. Familial deception is present in both plots and bosola and hamlet are both poisoned by their own melancholy. Niccolo machiavelli was a diplomat, politician and writer in renaissance italy whose most infamous quotes come from his books the prince and the art of war. The malcontent is a certain character type that emerges in jacobean revenge tragedy. Shakespeare s character macbeth represents the machiavellian idea that a ruler should appear well in public, be smart and strong, and do what is necessary to hold onto power. Bosola plots to betray the duchess and finally figures out who her lover is. An analysis of bosola in the duchess of malfi 888 words 4 pages bosola can be described as a convincing character as unlike some of the characters in the play, his opinions and principles change throughout, therefore constantly altering the audiences feelings about him. Something of a social striver, he allows himself to be recruited by ferdinand as a spy, even though the cardinal ferdinands brother and bosolas former employertreated bosola poorly. Machiavellian character who indulges his own appetites and coldly eliminates. The duchess of malfi originally published as the tragedy of the dutchesse of malfy is a jacobean revenge tragedy written by english dramatist john webster in 161216. He is an enigmatic figure, willing to murder for hire without hesitation, while initially reluctant to the commit to the seemingly less. Duchess her strength of character remains evident through all the darkness.
Hoby, together with his friend peter whitehorne, translator of machiavellis art of war, were. Let worthy minds neer stagger in distrust to suffer death or shame for what is just. He starts the play as a cynical criminal, known for his melancholy. From the very beginning of the play, webster stipulates the low standards that men held to women, even those of good social standing like the duchess. The machiavellian villain is introduced by the characters bosola and the cardinal, who, in many ways, mirror the power pair lord burleigh and walsingham. A malcontent can be identified by a number of traits. The duchess of malfi is a jacobean revenge tragedy written by english dramatist john webster. He is a man who is used to doing the dirty work for others. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Although sinister and frightening in character, the nature of such goals are often very progressive and. Machiavellian definition, of, like, or befitting machiavelli. Bosola an unwitting pawn or evil machiavellian essay. Bosola has the duchess killed, as much an act of mercy as cruelty perhaps. We went on to question who the dramatic heroes are in the duchess of malfi after doing a bit of research, my better understanding of a tragic hero is that of someone who evokes a sense of pity in the audience, and is also made to endure undeserved misfortunes. An analysis of bosola in the duchess of malfi essay 882 words 4 pages bosola can be described as a convincing character as unlike some of the characters in the play, his opinions and principles change throughout, therefore constantly altering the audiences feelings about him. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on john websters the duchess of malfi. Bosola also kills antonio, but this was due to pure mistake and cannot be blamed on his will. The machiavellian personality personality psychology.
The character of bosola as the malcontent in the duchess. Machiavelli observed, in his diplomatic role, that leaders come and go, rising and falling as they gain and lose power. The duchess of malfi webster, 2009 is particularly interesting in regards to gender, because it both subverts and reinforces the traditionally assigned roles of 17th century italy. The duchess is the most stoical character, she welcomes her death with dignity. Could i be one of their flattering panders, i would hang on their ears like a horseleech, till i were full, and then drop off. He is a machiavellian character, using the power of his position to torture and. Introduction discuss what is being disturbed means.
Character analysis of bososla free download as word doc. To what extent can bosola be considered a tragic hero. Bosola has in common with iago from william shakespeare s othello his status as a disgruntled servant, though webster invests his version of this character type with a level of moral awareness absent from shakespeares viciously resentful ensign. These traits are the deciding factors in whether or not the leader will be successful. A brief character study of bosola, from john websters. The duchess of malfi takes place in italy, mostly at the duchesss palace in malfi, in the sixteenth century. Its 500 years since niccolo machiavelli wrote the prince and since then, there have been an extraordinary range of characters that we have come to call machiavellian. Antonio, the manager of her household, has just returned from france. In the field of personality psychology, machiavellianism is a psychological trait centered on interpersonal manipulation, unemotional coldness, and indifference to morality. This immoral image is added to when bosola assists in the strangling of the duchess at the command of ferdinand. Bosolas character, when compared to others in the play, is very impure. During mondays class, we had a discussion about the terms hero and dramatic hero.
The duchess of malfi study guide from litcharts the. Bosola is the tool through which the cardinal and ferdinand. Bosola knows perfectly well that the cardinal and ferdinand are bad guys, and when ferdinand offers to pay bosola to spy on the duchess, hes is absolutely against the idea refusing, for the record, the gold ferdinand offers him until ferdinand tells him that hes secured bosola the gig of provisor of the horse which, fyi, is a bigger deal. Characteristics of a machiavellian leader soapboxie. Flamineo in the white devil, bosola in the duchess of malfi, and romelio in the devils law case. Click on file format for free download of each book. He refuses to associate publicly with his toolvillain, bosola, even though he has used and will continue to use his services. The machiavellian tactics factor measures the extent to which flattery, lying, or. The definition of machiavellian or machiavellianism.
In psychology, machiavellianism refers to a personality type that does not choose to be, but simply is, a master manipulator. Casuistry and machiavellian selfinterest in the duchess of malfi. Before leaving the duchess, ferdinand engages bosola, previously used by the cardinal as. Bosola is the tool through which the cardinal and ferdinand perpetrate most of their evil in the duchess of malfi. Bosola is websters mouthpiece for the dramatists restless, mocking, intelligence. This paper aims to put forward a character sketch of bosola from. All the villainsferdinand, the cardinal, bosola and even the hero, antonioare haunted by the spirit of the dead duchess. An analysis of bosola in the duchess of malfi essay bartleby. It was first performed privately at the blackfriars theatre, then later to a larger audience at the globe, in 161614 published in 1623, the play is loosely based on events that occurred between 1508 and 15. These necessary characteristics include being feared or loved, but not hated, having the peoples support, convincingly displaying virtues, using ones own arms, and.
Essentially, the british transformed italy into what it represented to them corruption and depravity. Thus the dying bosola concludes his last speech and, in doing so, ends the life of a character whose very nature is at odds with the others and with himself. What is the role of bosola in the duchess of malfi. He acts the role of both villain and avenger, working first against and then for the duchess. The office of justice is perverted quite, when one thief hangs another. Thus he is a machiavellian character with a difference. The duchess is a young widow whose two brothers, ferdinand and the cardinal, are visiting her from rome at the plays start. He and his brother are like plumtrees that grow crooked over standingpools. By creating bosola, webster has definitely added one of the finest portraits to the great gallery of villains in the elizabethan drama. A concise biography of john webster plus historical and literary context for the duchess of malfi. In the words of schelling, bosola remains the most consummate skilled character of the duchess of malfi. In the duchess of malfi, this is the character of bosola. Purity is displayed by the duchess in particular, but also by her brothers.
Machiavellian is a term used to describe someone whose sole purpose is to manipulate and corrupt others for the individuals personal gain. The complexity of some of the plays characters, particularly bosola and the. Malcontent, superspy, social critic, avenger no, sadly, not that kind. He is hired by ferdinand to spy on the duchess, for whom he serves as manager of her horses.
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