The Duchess of Malfi
The Duchess of Malfi, written around 1613 and printed in 1623, is John Webster's tragedy of a young widowed duchess who secretly marries her steward Antonio against the will of her two brothers, the Cardinal and the volatile Duke Ferdinand. Their spy in her household is Bosola, a discontented ex-soldier who carries out the brothers' revenge and then turns against them. The play moves from courtship to imprisonment, torment by madmen, murder and a final act in which almost everyone dies. Its dark poetry, its sympathy for the Duchess and its interest in the mind of the hired killer have kept it on the stage. It is one of the few Jacobean tragedies regularly performed today. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first act is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Duchess of Malfi
The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Duchess of Malfi online?
Yes. The Duchess of Malfi opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Duchess of Malfi free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Duchess of Malfi is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Duchess of Malfi in the public domain?
Yes. The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Duchess of Malfi?
About 1 h 47 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Duchess of Malfi?
The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster is filed under "Drama" in the Vinteuil library.
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