THE DUCHESS OF MALFI (Annotated)

By: Webster, John

"The Duchess of Malfi" was published in 1623, but the date of writing may have been as early as 1611. It is based on a story in Painter's "Palace of Pleasure," translated from the Italian novelist, Bandello; and it is entirely possible that it has a foundation in fact. In any case, it portrays with a terrible vividness one side of the court life of the Italian Renaissance; and its picture of the fierce quest of pleasure, the recklessness of crime, and the worldliness of the great princes of the Church finds only too ready corroboration in the annals of the time.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN13: 9798735500711
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 146 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

“Cover her face; mine eyes dazzle: she died young.” - John Webster

This was originally published as “The Tragedy of the Duchess of Malfy.” Before you actually get to the play, do not overlook this fairly good introduction, including information on the author, early performances of Webster’s plays, the source of the play, Webster’s tragedy of the Duchess of Malfi, a note on the text, and acknowledgments. It is good to know the source of the “cover her face” line in context. You might even have a new favorite writer. Many people find out about this play through college courses. I came across this because of a quote from the play in Agatha Christie’s “Sleeping Murder.” Then I ran across this again under the title “Cover Her Face” by P. D. James. Then it started turning up everywhere, even “Queen of the D-a-m-n-e-d” by Anne Rice.