Assess the dramatic and thematic effectiveness Essay

The opening make out of The Duchess of Malfi is important in terms of the reports that John Webster is presenting. He uses the consultations to explore much(prenominal) themes, and subsequently the interview atomic number 18 given detailed descriptions of most of the of import characters. Moreover, Webster uses the characters to describe each other non only giving the audience an insight into their personal attri yetes, but also how each character perceives the other. Although not entirely apparent in the initial acts of the play, the fact that the audience only know about the characters from the other characters descriptions, implies the ideas of secrecy, deception, and spying, and the general theme that there are things that the characters think they know, when in fact they dont.Antonio is the first character to be introduced, and he is initially presented as an outsider returning home from the cut court, which he admires. He has a brief conversation with Delio about the F rench court, and how although it was orderly, it could easily be distorted. Pure silver drops in general but if t chance Some cursed example poisoned t beloved the head, Death and diseases through the whole land spread.The rhyming couplet makes it more or less seem want a curse, and exerts a sense of doom. This already gives the public opinion that the court of Malfi is it self distorted, as Antonio describes the goodness of the French court, and then quick goes onto describe how easily any court could be corrupted, as if pointing a finger at the court of Malfi. Webster uses this contrast quite effectively to incite the audience from the beginning that there is more to the Court of Malfi than it may in the beginning seem. Interrupting the conversation, Bosola arrives, and before he even speaks, Antonio speaks of him to Delio, and creating a distinct impression of Bosola.Would be as lecherous, covetous, or proud, Bloody, or envious, as any man, If he h ad the path to be so. This unpleasant impression of Bosola given to the audience is further supported, as Delio reveals that he was a fellow seven years in the galleys for a notorious murder, making him appear as an evil character who is capable of murder. Aside from the information the audience receive from Antonio and Delio, the way in which Bosola speaks makes him appear to be very negative.He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools they are juicy and oerladen with fruit, but none but crows, pies, and caterpillars feed on them. The perpetual use of dark and distasteful imagery attributes him to be quite bitter, and so completes the overall impression that he is indeed an unpleasant character. However, as Bosola leaves, Antonio says he has heard good things about Bosola, but his railing at those things which he wants overcomes these positive aspects.Tis great pity He should be thus leave out I piddle heard Hes very valiant . This throttle melancholy Will poison all his goodness. This indicates to the audience that Bosola may have a good side which he may or may not reveal later. Either way, this is another way in which Webster explores the theme of first impressions not being all that they seem.