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John Webster's play, "The Duchess of Malfi", was first published in 1623. But what is the truth behind the tragic story of the woman whose Cardinal brother takes savage revenge when he discovers her secret marriage to a courtier, and then himself goes mad? This book explores the intriguing exploits of the real Duchess of Malfi, Giovanna d'Aragona, against the background of renaissance Italy. It describes her life, which was one of tragedy: her father was poisoned and died just as she was born in 1478, her first child died in infancy and her first husband, the Duke of Amalfi, died young, leaving her a widow at 20. She gave birth to a posthumous heir and dedicated herself to his care and the estate that would one day be his. Like her fictional counterpart, she then married a young courtier, defying her family who would have undoubtedly denied permission for her to wed a man not of royal blood. According to the author, it was her Cardinal brother's ambitions that precipitated the tragedy and, like his sister's disappearance, his own death is cloaked in mystery. As well as describing Giovanna herself, this book explores the characters who populate Amalfi: the famous Gonzagas of Mantua (who feature in Shakespeare's plays), and the compelling story of the real brother, Luigi.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Jeremy Mccall
reviewed The mystery of the Duchess of Malfi on November 17, 2011
The mystery of the Duchess of Malfi
Agatha and her sidekick Charles are back, but James Lacey still isn't, so Agatha decides to spend the winter away from the Cotswolds and travels to Norfolk.
Agatha is not sure she's made the right decision. The cottage she's rented has no central heating. The village is small and seemingly inbred.
To top it all off, her first night in the cottage, she sees a little circle of lights at the far end of her garden, but when she rushes down to the end, they are gone. Then insignificant pieces of furniture in the house are missing.
The villagers know its fairies, but Agatha is skeptical.
Agatha at first is alone and depressed. She can't stop thinking about James Lacey, even when Charles shows up at her doorstep. Ah, to be a rich baronet and come and go where you like, when you please.
Agatha and Charles are friends, but Charles is "amoral" as Agatha calls it and is not above friends with benefits, if it alleviates a boring winter evening. Nevertheless, Agatha and Charles are fond of each other and fight more like siblings or an old married couple than anything else.
Agatha and Charles meet the local squire, a London "incomer" who is eager to meet the titled Sir Charles. Charles is less impressed.
But "Tolly" as the squire has titled himself is soon murdered and acquires an irresistible attraction to both Agatha and Charles.
In the meantime they and we meet the interesting and suspicious cast of characters that reside in the village.
So who killed Old Tolly and why?
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