Oxford AQA International A-level · English Literature (9675)

John Webster - The Duchess of Malfi: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on John Webster - The Duchess of Malfi.

10 questions26 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

What is Antonio Bologna's official role in the Duchess's household at the start of the play?

Question 2

1 mark

In the context of Jacobean tragedy, what is the significance of Ferdinand’s lycanthropy in Act 5?

Question 3

1 mark

How does the character of Julia serve as a thematic foil to the Duchess within the play's structure?

Question 4

1 mark

Who does the Duchess of Malfi marry in secret, defying the wishes of her brothers?

Question 5

1 mark

In Act 2, Bosola uses 'apricots' as a device to achieve what specific purpose?

Question 6

2 marks

Identify the specific religious object used by the Cardinal to poison and murder Julia in Act 5.

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Question 7

4 marks

In what way does the Duchess’s declaration, "I am Duchess of Malfi still," signify a moment of tragic insight regarding her identity and social status?

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Question 8

6 marks

Analyze how Webster uses the presence of the madmen in Act 4 as a commentary on the human condition and to move the audience through pity and fear.

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Question 9

4 marks

Examine the presentation of Ferdinand's descent into lycanthropy in Act 5 of The Duchess of Malfi.
a) How is this physical transformation a manifestation of his internal guilt and his obsession with 'blood' and lineage?
b) In what ways does his madness serve as a 'tragic end' that contrasts with the Duchess’s dignified death in the previous act?

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Question 10

5 marks

Compare and contrast the presentation of Antonio’s 'passive' goodness with Bosola’s 'active' cynicism. How does Webster use these two characters to comment on the difficulty of maintaining social identity and moral integrity within the corrupt court of Malfi?

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