The Duchess of Malfi

The Duchess of Malfi is one of the greatest tragedies written by John Webster, first performed in 1613 or 1614. It's considered one of the masterpieces of English Renaissance drama, alongside works by Shakespeare and Marlowe. The play is a dark, bloody tale filled with themes of power, corruption, family loyalty, madness, and the consequences of social and moral transgression. The plot revolves around the Duchess of Malfi, a young widow and the central character, who defies the oppressive social conventions of her time by secretly marrying her steward, Antonio. She is, however, under the oppressive rule of her two brothers, the Duke Ferdinand and the Cardinal, both of whom are deeply corrupt and possessively controlling of her. The Duchess's actions set off a tragic chain of events, as her brothers react violently to her defiance of their authority.