The Duchess of Malfi

Act One

The Duchess of Malfi begins in the palace of the Duchess, a young widow and the ruler of the Italian town of Malfi. Her steward, Antonio, has recently returned from France, and Bosola, a murderer and the former employee of the Duchess’ brother, the Cardinal, has just returned to the palace after being punished for his crimes.. Soon Duke Ferdinand, the Duchess’ twin brother, arrives with his entourage. In a private conversation with his friend Delio, Antonio remarks that although the Cardinal and Duke appear to be virtuous, they are in fact wicked, conniving, and jealous of their sister. However he observes that the Duchess herself is beautiful, and intelligent.

Ferdinand and the Cardinal reveal their reasons for not wanting their sister to marry. They want to preserve the honour of the family but, most importantly, inherit her fortune by ensuring she remains a widow. Ferdinand therefore places Bosola in the Duchess’ household as a spy, despite Bosola’s reservations. Bosola is