Reviews

The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster

muchadoaboutnothing's review against another edition

Go to review page

great play if you hate seeing women happy!

cecireda's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5

katieejayne's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

In comparison to the other plays I've read, I enjoyed this far more. To start with it's a woman placed in a seat of power in a court full of men which was controversial, to begin with at the time. The men that surround her, even her brothers constantly plot and plan her downfall. Be it rumours, disgrace or even murder. They're determined to find a way to remove her from power. Part of me thinks this play was lightyears ahead of its time with this kind of social commentary but it's difficult to get around the treatment she receives.

Despite being the Duchess she lacks autonomy and her brother's try and find her a husband to marry her off and get rid of her. They are constantly talking down to her and criticising her.

However, I still struggle with the format. I don't think that'll ever be something I can get over.

lexiscott1's review

Go to review page

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

4.0

josiahdegraaf's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A dark story focused on the darker aspects of human nature and what life is like in a world dominated by moral chaos, but the darkness only causes the virtue and courage of the Duchess to shine all the brighter as she stands resolute through the darkest of times.

Rating: 4.0 Stars (Very Good).

adambwriter's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

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

twili's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tajeip's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Actually not bad

(Although the opening speech was quite irrelevant in the end)

imdillionen's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Gotta say I expected more incest. Interesting bits of lycanthropy. Nice duchess.

Nice couplet on siblings and homo homini lupus:

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

julshakespeare's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.8/5 stars, full review to come! Stunning writing and genuinely very amusing in parts but I’m not pleased by like… a single turn of event. Skewed up character rating the duchess herself because I love her.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Enjoyment: 3/5