Ferdinand's Obsession

I find Ferdinand's obsession with his sister to be rather creepy and incestuous. He is so fixated on her sexuality that one cannot help but think he is seriously warped. In the beginning of the play, the Duchess's two brothers both urged her not to marry. The cardinal only wishes this for reasons regarding power. Ferdinand, however, does not want her to marry again because he does not want another man to have her. The fact that Ferdinand and the Duchess are twins is significant to his bondage to her. The two share the same blood and are so deeply connected (though Ferdinand seems to be too connected). His obsession with his sister eventually drives him to murder her. His anger at her when he discovers that she has married and had children is quite frightening. His description of what he will do to the Duchess is grotesque and vengeful.

Peace Among Chaos

I found peaceful beauty in the few scenes between the Duchess and Antonio. Their love offers brief relief from the gore, violence, and treachery that fills the play. The Duchess seems to truly love Antonio who is a virtuous and kind man. Their love is a refreshing contrast to the subject matter of the rest of the play. I'm particularly interested in the scene in which the two marry. The Duchess has to take on the male role as one who pursues their love interest because she is of a higher rank than Antonio. I particularly liked the repetition of Antonio "rising up". The Duchess rose him up as her equal as her husband. Their love indeed echoes that of Romeo and Juliet. The classic lovers created their own reality in a world that was crumbling around them. Sadly, as the tragic play demands, the lovers die... the Duchess and her lover, however, reach a sticker end, unfortunately.

What's In A Name??

One's name is their identity. A name gives an individual relatability, particularly in literature. If the Duchess of Malfi was significant enough to score the title of the play, how is it that she couldn't manage to get an actual name? The Duchess has a title to be sure but her actual personal name is withheld from the text. I think that there is a significant reason for the Duchess not having a name. She is a powerful woman figure, not having a name makes her quite elusive. I also think that the Duchess's lack of a name secludes her from the audience, she is less personable. However, as I go on reading the play, I have come to find that she makes herself known to the audience, a contradiction to her secretive title.

The Death of Ophelia

I found the queen's description of Ophelia's watery death to be quite beautiful. It was strange to me that something as disturbing and dark as a drowning could be described so poetically. Ophelia was described as peaceful and submissive before and during her death. As she was a helpless pawn in her life, she was helpless to the water that filled her garments and pulled her to a muddy death (unless of course one reads this as a suicide in which Ophelia would be taking control of her own fate rather than leaving it to the will of men). The nature that surrounds Ophelia was quite beautiful but sad: a willow and the weeping brook were the two elements of the scene that were prominent to me. The weeping willow is a symbol of melancholy sadness and the book is described as weeping. Nature embraces poor Ophelia as it ends her life in this sad scene. I particularly liked the manner in which Ophelia was compared to a mermaid as she drifted deep into the water.

"Get thee to a nunnery."

Hamlet's cruel rejection of poor Ophelia was particularly interesting to me. It is known that a nunnery can either be taken for a convent or a whorehouse. Personally, I think Hamlet is telling Ophelia to go to a whorehouse where she belongs. She has returned his love letters and renounced any relationship that they had. Hamlet knows that she has lied to him when asked about the whereabouts of her father. He seems enraged and betrayed and thinks her a whore. He asks mockingly if she is honest (meaning "chaste"). Questioning her chastity was disrespectful and insulting. The fact that Hamlet's accusations have no merit and are made with no reason leads me to believe that he is losing his grip on reality. As he does so, his world starts to unravel and the community within the castle begins to fall to pieces.

Ghosty in Hamlet: Wandering Spirit or Evil Demon?

So is the ghost in Hamlet a demonic spirit or the wandering ghost of Hamlet's father? There is sufficient evidence to suggest both possibilities. The ghost is wearing armor and looks like Hamlet's father. The armor could be representative of the fact that he died as a result of violence. Armor is also a symbol of nobility and bravery; neither are traits of a demonic force. There is more evidence to support the possibility of the "ghost" being a demon. He reveals himself at night at or near the witching hour; this suggests darkness and evil. He also makes several comments when speaking to Hamlet for the first time about the coming of the dawn and his need to depart. This suggests that he cannot prevail in light, another demonic characteristic. Finally, the demon causes Hamlet to change from a thoughtful and good protagonist to a mad and evil villain bent on revenge. Hamlet loses his reason and distinction between right and wrong, it was his "father's ghost" who caused this -- giving the ghost demonic qualities that cannot be ignored.