Religious/Authority Figures: DOM

• “Melancholy Churchman” = Antonio describes the Cardinal
• “Possessed by the devil” = Bosola describing the Cardinal
• “Though are a witty false one” = The Cardinal talking to Julia about her constancy
• “Shameful act of sin” = Ferdinand about the Duchess's sin; his authority
• "Constancy" = The Cardinal on Julia's sin
• AO3: Catholicism & Cardinals

  • Supposed to be celibate
  • Depicts Catholic priests as immoral
  • Cardinal indulges & breaks vows
  • DOM writtern during Protestant Reformation
• Calls the Cardinal a “hypocritical Machiavelian”= Borlik
• "The Cardinal knows already that he is in hell" = Bradbrook
• AO3: Pope Alexander VI

  • 30 yrs as cardinal before election
  • Oldest son murdered his political opponents 
  • Daughter was married multiple times to strengthen pope’s alliances
  • Died in 1503 a yr before play is set