The plot in six lines
At the court in Amalfi, Ferdinand hires Bosola to spy on the Duchess, while he and the Cardinal order their sister to remain a widow.
The Duchess secretly marries her steward, Antonio Bologna, with Cariola as witness, choosing love across a difference in rank despite her brothers' commands.
Bosola discovers that the Duchess has given birth, finds a horoscope for the newborn, and sends Ferdinand news that provokes his rage.
The Duchess sends Antonio away for safety, but her own attempted escape ends in banishment and capture, and Bosola returns her to her palace as a prisoner.
After tormenting the Duchess, the brothers order her strangled, and Cariola also dies, while Bosola turns against them but kills Antonio by mistake.
Ferdinand goes mad, and the Cardinal and Bosola die in the final violence, leaving Antonio's surviving son by the Duchess as hope for the future.
Themes
Power and corruption: The brothers use family authority, court influence and the Church to punish the Duchess for choosing her own husband.
Love and rank: The Duchess's marriage to her steward places personal affection against a society that treats differences in rank as barriers.
Secrets and surveillance: A hidden marriage, a concealed birth and Bosola's spying make private life vulnerable to discovery and punishment.
Dignity: The Duchess keeps her courage and love for her children even when her brothers strip away her power.
Characters
- The Duchess of MalfiA young widow and ruler of Amalfi who wants to live and love by her own choice, against her brothers' orders.
- Antonio BolognaThe Duchess's steward, an honest and modest man who becomes her secret husband and shares her danger.
- FerdinandDuke of Calabria and the Duchess's twin brother, proud and violent, who is determined to control her.
- The CardinalThe Duchess's other brother, a cold and scheming churchman who hides his cruelty behind power and ceremony.
- BosolaA bitter, clever former galley slave hired as a spy in the Duchess's house, torn between ambition and conscience.
- CariolaThe Duchess's loyal maid, who witnesses the secret marriage and stays by her mistress.
For the A level English Literature exams, summer 2027
- The summer 2027 A level exams run from 10 May to 22 June 2027.
- Pearson Edexcel: Paper 1 (9ET0/01), Drama (other drama before 1900), Thursday 13 May 2027, morning, 2 hours 15 minutes.
- OCR: Paper 1 (H472/01), Section 2 (drama and poetry before 1900), Thursday 13 May 2027, morning, 2 hours 30 minutes.
- WJEC Eduqas: Component 2, Section B (drama in a pair), Thursday 20 May 2027, morning, 2 hours.
A two-week plan
- Day oneRead the 15-minute summary of The Duchess of Malfi from start to finish, then tell the story back to yourself in five sentences.
- Days two to threeA court of flatterers and a hired spy: Notice how Antonio's account of good government establishes a standard against which to judge the court.
- Day fourShe chooses love in secret: Watch how the Duchess's warmth and wit make her desire for a private life persuasive.
- Day fiveBosola sniffs out the secret: Follow the contrast between Bosola's understanding of wrongdoing and his willingness to serve Ferdinand.
- Day sixThe brothers close in: Notice how the brothers turn family authority and religious ceremony into instruments of control.
- Day sevenCruelty, fear and a divided conscience: Watch how the Duchess's firmness contrasts with Bosola's growing pity and the brothers' cruelty.
- Day eightHow Webster builds his dark world: Notice how images of disease and traps combine with stage objects to create fear.
- Day nineThe cast: the Duchess of Malfi, Antonio Bologna, Ferdinand, the Cardinal and Bosola. Write one line on what each of them wants.
- Day tenThemes: Power and corruption; Love and rank; Secrets and surveillance; Dignity. Pick one moment in the story for each.
- Day elevenForm: study how the play is built: its scenes, its speeches and its turning points.
- Day twelvePractice: plan and write an essay on one theme, then read your argument back and test it against the story.
- Day thirteenPractice: try a second question with a different focus, such as a character or the form.
- Day fourteenRecap: reread your notes and the summary, say the plot out loud once, then rest.
From the boards' published specifications and final summer 2027 timetables, read on 23 October 2026. Ask your school which board and papers you sit.
Spørgsmål
What is The Duchess of Malfi about?
The Duchess of Malfi is about a widowed ruler whose choice of husband brings her into conflict with her brothers. Her struggle connects personal love with questions about family control, corrupt authority and conscience.
Who are the main characters in The Duchess of Malfi?
The main characters are the Duchess of Malfi, her husband Antonio Bologna, her brothers Ferdinand and the Cardinal, and the spy Bosola. Cariola witnesses the marriage and remains loyal to the Duchess, while Delio supports Antonio.
What are the main themes of The Duchess of Malfi?
The main themes are corrupt power, family control, love across differences in rank, secrecy and conscience. The Duchess's dignity challenges her brothers' cruelty, while Bosola's divided loyalties expose the moral cost of serving them.
Is The Duchess of Malfi a set text for A level English Literature?
Yes. Pearson Edexcel lists it in Paper 1 (9ET0/01), Drama (other drama before 1900). OCR lists it in Paper 1 (H472/01), Section 2 (drama and poetry before 1900). WJEC Eduqas lists it in Component 2, Section B (drama in a pair).
When are the A level English Literature exams in 2027?
The summer 2027 A level exams run from 10 May to 22 June 2027. Pearson Edexcel: Paper 1 (9ET0/01), Thursday 13 May 2027, morning. OCR: Paper 1 (H472/01), Thursday 13 May 2027, morning. WJEC Eduqas: Component 2, Thursday 20 May 2027, morning.
