Reviews

The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster

tigerbell's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

krobart's review against another edition

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3.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/06/10/review-1674-the-duchess-of-malfi/

kitwool's review against another edition

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For uni

marinayay's review against another edition

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challenging emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ridgewaygirl's review against another edition

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3.0

When the Duchess of Malfi is widowed, her two brothers are insistent that she not remarry, leaving her fortune intact for them. She remarries, but in secret, to a commoner, and they keep their secret long enough for her to bear three children. Eventually, though, they are betrayed, and by a trusted friend, the desperately ambitious Bosola. The play reminded me of Othello, being similar in the sheer quantity of murders and in increasingly overwrought behavior of everyone involved.

This was a surprisingly easy play to read. The play jumps forwards in time without explanation and the character development is minimal, but it's certainly entertaining.

adambwriter's review against another edition

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4.0

Haven't read a play this crazy since Titus Andronicus.

mdarlo's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tormentademar's review against another edition

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4.0

“Whether we fall by ambition, blood or lust,
Like diamonds we are cut with our own dust.”

malvinelu's review against another edition

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3.0

This is why feminism is needed.

antoniawg's review against another edition

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4.0

Great play. I love how the Duchess is so witty.