Incest in Duchess of Malfi

Hey can anyone who has studied Duchess of Malfi help me?

Are there any references to the Duchess leading on her brother with his incestious feelings? Any quotes would be a real help.

Thanx

Reply 1

_poptart_

I dont think she actually does lead him on does she?? Even then I dont think Ferdinand is particularly "incestuous", he just has an urge to control the Duchess.

Reply 2

cat_meiow

Ok calling your sister a "lusty widow" and telling the Cardinal that he wants to see her "in the shameful act of sin" I think is more than an urge to control her. but that is just my opinion.

Reply 3

cat_meiow

Ok calling your sister a "lusty widow" and telling the Cardinal that he wants to see her "in the shameful act of sin" I think is more than an urge to control her. but that is just my opinion.

F actually tells C that he wants him to talk to him so that he DOESN'T imagine the Duchess in the "shameful act of sin".
Reply to the actual Q later (I have to eat!)
skevvybritt x

EDIT: OK, so does she lead him on?

Her pretended admiration may encourage him
" Your knowledge of him
Commends him and prefers him."

Maybe her teasing and superiority make her more attractive to him - she passively encourages him this way.
"This is terrible good counsel."
"I think this speech between you was studied,
It came so roundly off."

His awareness of her sexuality, and her possible flaunting of this (it can be played differently, she is sometimes shown wearing revealing clothes for example), makes it more tempting for him.
When he makes the comment about women liking "that part which, like the lamprey, hath nev'r a bone in't." she reacts knowing what he is talking about - she does not pretend innocence.

However, she does not knowingly encourage him as far as I can see, at least not sexually. She is a tease and he may misinterpret this. In fact, she is ambivalent and could be played both ways.
e.g. when she replies "Fie sir!" to the lamprey comment this could be played with mock suprise or genuinely shocked.

Most of the quotes are from act i scene ii.
Later on he has already gone mad and so it it less worth evaluating these scenes.
If I can help in any other ways, please PM me,
skevvybritt x

Reply 4

cat_meiow

Thanx for that info about the incest. cheers

Reply 5

signor87

He also says just before he dies (Act 5 Scene 5, line 71-72),

"My sister! Oh my sister, there's the cause on't!
Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust..."

Maybe the fact that he mentions 'lust' after mentioning his sister is the cause of his madness shows his feelings for her?