Imagery

in

Malfi

& Donne

Rather than asking you to pursue more extra-textual research for this weeks prep, Id like you to delve more carefully into both texts and start building up what I think may be one of the most fruitful areas for comparison: imagery. If you are able to make direct comparison between some of the mechanics of the way meaning is created in the texts, you will gain credit for both AO3 and AO2.

The Duchess of Malfi - Characters

First of all, Id like you to pursue the imagery associated with the characters; partly because of the way Webster is using the medieval theory of the four humours (choleric Ferdinand, sanguine the Duchess, melancholic Bosola and phlegmatic the Cardinal), he builds up an impression of their characters through the imagery they use and that others use of them. For each of Bosola, Ferdinand, the Cardinal and the Duchess, please do the following: o Find 6-10 examples of imagery that either they use or that others use about them. o Quote these fully, with an indication of who says it and at what point in the play. o Analyse the significance of the imagery: identify whether it is a metaphor or simile and explain what the image suggests about the character. Do aim to range quite widely over the play in order to track down these images.

The Duchess of Malfi Themes

Imagery is also used throughout the play to help suggest some of the possible thematic ideas that are being explored. Webster works by creating clusters of imagery which start to build an atmosphere or an impression of what the world at Malfi is like. As above, Id like you to locate, quote and analyse 3-6 examples of imagery for each of the following areas: o o o o o o o o o Disease and corruption in the natural world. Light. Darkness. Fire and hell. Death. Entrapment. Animals. The weather (think storms, mist etc.) and seasons Riches, jewels etc.

Imagery
o God, religion, fate

in

Malfi

& Donne

Imagery

in

Malfi

& Donne

Donne Poetic Imagery

Donne as a poet uses imagery all the time, most notably with his conceits or extended metaphors, through which he pursues ideas and arguments within his poems. As with Malfi, it is useful for you to try to identify the patterns of recurring imagery and consider how and why me might be using them. As above, please locate, quote and analyse 3-6 examples of imagery for each of the following areas: o o o o o o o o o o o o Light and the sun Darkness and night The weather (storms etc.) and seasons Disease Mythical beings and alchemy Death Animals God and religion Exploration, the world, maps Riches, jewels etc Music Kings, politics, states etc

Comparisons
Go through the notes you will have made above and, using a different coloured pen (or font), make a brief annotation of images in both texts which can be compared with each other (e.g. but a salvatory of green mummy link to Loves Alchemy women are but mummy, possessed). Im aware that potentially this is quite a long prep, but if you approach it steadily and thoroughly, then you will potentially build up extraordinarily useful notes for revision purposes.