Act one summary

• Play opens with Antonio's speech which shows the Renaissance motif of contrast between the ideal and the real world. The play reinforces this view. 


  'Death and disease through the whole land spread'
• Audience are aligned with Antonio, presented as trustworthy and honest. Naivety creates fear for his ability to survive in this dangerous world.

  ''Pure silver drops'
• Bosola is presented as the stereotypical malcontent. Characterised by his use of animal imagery - portrays himself as a scavenger feeding off those in power. Evokes a darkness in him but also a sense of pity from the audience. Perhaps a comment on society's failure to provide honest opportunities for ambition and talent.
• Huge contrast in the water imagery used by Antonio and Bosola 


  'pure silver drops' vs 'standing pool'
• Ferdinand is volatile and more concerned with the Duchess's sexuality than family prestige
• Cardinal is presented as calmer but more sinister than Ferdinand - uses more restrained language. Unlike his brother, his reason for the duchess not remarrying is family prestige and his own social standing. Represents the power of the Church and its deep corruption.
• The Duchess is only ever referred to by her title, showing the tension between the body politic and body personal. She reverses traditional gender roles by asking Antonio to marry.
• The Duchess and Antonio's marriage in A1 S2 presents a refreshing delicacy in stark contrast to the menace and tension of her brothers. Presented as a wholesome expression of human sexuality - contrast to her brothers.
• 'He and his brother are like plums trees that grow crooked over standing pools'
• 'Laugh when I laugh' -Ferdinand
• 'Your darkest actions - nay, your privatest thoughts - will come to light' - Ferdinand
• 'You are my sister' - Ferdinand
• 'This was my father's poniard' - Ferdinand
• 'Women like that part ... Hath ne'er a bone in it' -Ferdinand
• 'He strews in hid way flatterers, panderers, intelligencers, atheists.' -Cardinal
• 'The marriage night / Is the entrance to some prison' - Cardinal
• 'So divine a countenance' - Duchess
• 'She stains the time past, lights the time to come' - Duchess
• 'I would not have her marry again' -about Duchess
• 'You already know what man is' - to the Duchess
• 'Diamonds are of most value…that have passed through most jewellers hands' -Duchess