The Duchess of Malfi

The Duchess of Malfi – The play, set in Catholic Italy around 1504-1510, focuses on the newly widowed Duchess of Malfi and the conflict that arises from her desire to remarry for love, rather than remain a widow as her controlling brothers, Duke Ferdinand and the Cardinal, demand. The Duchess falls in love with and secretly marries Antonio Bologna, her steward, due to his honesty and good character, despite his lower social status. They have three children together, keeping their marriage hidden with the help of the Duchess’s maid, Cariola.