Duchess of Malfi

I agree with Elaina on the fact that the Duchess's persona has reversed. I too had the opportunity to act this scene out and it was very interesting to see how the characters have become more complex through every act. For example the Duchess went from a women who was portrayed a lot like Queen Elizabeth in the fact that the Duchess was strong willed, intelligent, did what she wanted to do, was stubborn, and strong; but by the beginning of act 4 everything changes. Now the duchess is weak, emotional, and depressed because the center of her life (her family) is gone. I feel that this portrayal of women is seen more throughout literature after the death of Queen Elizabeth. In the Jacobean age women are either seen as horrible creatures who ruin every man's life or they are seen as hopeless unintelligent human beings who cannot help themselves. I also feel that a comparison could be made between the people of England mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess's emotional instability. Before death took over both the citizens of England and the Duchess were content and and lived in stability. After the death of Queen Elizabeth and fake deaths the Duchess's family, depression and instability rule the lives of both the citizens and the Duchess.