Plot Summary (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

Plot Summary

Act I

Scene 1

• Antonio, the steward of the Duchess's household, returns from France and praises the French court.
• The Duchess's brothers, Ferdinand and the Cardinal are introduced, showing their corrupt and malevolent nature.
• Bosola, a former servant of the Cardinal, is hired by Ferdinand to spy on the Duchess.
• The Duchess, defying her brothers' wishes, secretly marries Antonio.

Act II

Scene 1

• Bosola suspects the Duchess is pregnant and uses a concoction of apricots to confirm his suspicion.
• The Duchess gives birth in secret.
• Bosola sends a letter to Ferdinand, revealing the Duchess's pregnancy.

Scene 2

• Ferdinand, enraged by the news of the Duchess's child, vows to discover the identity of the father and exact revenge.

Scene 3

• Antonio and the Duchess plan their escape from Malfi, fearing Ferdinand's wrath.

Act III

Scene 1

• Ferdinand confronts the Duchess, revealing his knowledge of her marriage and children.
• He leaves her with a poniard as a symbol of his threat.

Scene 2

• Bosola, under Ferdinand's orders, torments the Duchess with a series of psychological tortures, including showing her wax figures of her dead family.

Scene 3

• The Duchess, Antonio, and their children attempt to flee Malfi but are captured by Bosola.

Scene 4

• The Duchess, steadfast in her dignity, faces her impending doom.
• She is strangled to death by Bosola's men along with her children.

Act IV

Scene 1

• Ferdinand is plagued by guilt and madness after the murder of his sister.
• He shows signs of lycanthropy, believing himself to be a wolf.

Scene 2

• Bosola, horrified by his actions and Ferdinand's descent into madness, begins to regret his part in the Duchess's murder.
• He plots to avenge her death and turns against Ferdinand and the Cardinal.

Act V

Scene 1

• Antonio, unaware of the Duchess's death, hopes for reconciliation with the brothers.
• He mistakenly meets with Bosola, who informs him of the Duchess's fate.

Scene 2

• The Cardinal, plotting further treachery, is revealed to have been involved in the murder of his mistress, Julia.
• Bosola kills Antonio by mistake in the darkened chamber.

Scene 3

• Bosola kills the Cardinal and is fatally wounded by Ferdinand.
• Ferdinand, in his madness, stabs Bosola and dies shortly after.
• The play ends with the survivors reflecting on the tragic events, and Delio, a friend of Antonio, pledges to raise Antonio's surviving son to honour the memory of the Duchess.