Referring the Act 5 Sc2, respond to the following statement:
The Cardinal’s ennui is the ennui of everyone who runs out of steam living two lives or living by double standards? How far do you agree with this statement?
No more that 300 words please.
Mr. D
9 comments:
The notion that the Cardinal’s life of double standards has emasculated him is certainly true to an extent; some of the vim and vigour we had seen in his character has dwindled but his extensive passion for murder which he still holds shows that this life of ‘double standards’ has not affected his energies in that respect. Through his conversation with Julia we can infer that the murder of the Duchess has had weighty effect on the Cardinal’s character. He suggests the knowledge of the Duchess’ death is ‘like a lingering poison’ that would ‘spread in thy veins and kill thee seven year hence.’ Since the Cardinal believes this malign effect of the secret would affect Julia so, it suggests the Cardinal himself is suffering the same poisonous pain. Since, the Cardinal holds a position of virtue and goodness, the conflict and irony between his actions and his position affects the Cardinal subconsciously. This subtle remorse and fear is something we had not seen in the Cardinal’s character prior to this. In fact, when the Cardinal was challenged for previous wrong-doings by Bosola in Act 1, he simply replies with a negligible ‘so’. Therefore, the gravity of the Duchess’ death who symbolised the good in the play has left a noticeably detrimental effect on the Cardinal’s character. However, despite guilt weakening his energies, it seems that the Cardinal’s thirst for blood compensates for this. Bosola describes the Cardinal thus: ‘this fellow doth breed basilisks in’s eyes, he’s nothing else but murder…’ which shows that despite being wearied by guilt, he has been strengthened by murder. After this description, the Cardinal murders Julia and intends to kill Bosola as well. Therefore, in response to the question, the Cardinal’s ennui does stem from the conflict of his position within him, but it’s reasonable to say that he is filled with a new passion which consumes him and leads him to disregard all else.
The suggestion that the Cardinal experiences feelings of ennui by the end of the play is questionable, as he still goes to elaborate extents to maintain a sense of control over his court – concealing Ferdinand’s madness with tales of an ‘old woman’ apparition and poisoning Julia to prevent her from revealing his true nature. However, the inclusion of the Cardinal revealing that he has "committed some secret deed, which I desire the world may not hear of” shows a disintegration in the character’s resolution in regards to keeping his misdemeanors a secret. However, it could also be argued that he shows a prevailing determination for his behaviour not to be revealed to the great extent that he is willing to murder.
The Cardinal’s double standards are also prominent within the play, through his clear disapproval of the Duchess marrying and her subsequently being dubbed ‘whore’, hypocritically contrasting with the Cardinal’s complete contentment with Julia’s promiscuity, as long as he remains the subject of affection. However, it does appear that the Cardinal’s effort in maintaining both his alternate life and his grip on its secrecy does seem to be wavering. At the prospect of burying his mistress’s body, the Cardinal exclaims “Oh, my conscience!” – suggesting his facade of ruthlessness and rationality, that he had even convinced himself was the true him, has finally been shattered, and his soul can carry his secrets and misdeeds no longer.
Act 5, scene 5 sees a once powerful and unemotional Cardinal pondering his imminent death and succumb to the prospect of hell’s ‘material fire’. However, the Cardinal does still render some energy to call for his guards, who do not stir in response to the Cardinal’s previous requests. The death of the character that lied and cheated and led numerous secret lives could be seen as a moral constructed by Webster, warning everyone who lives a similar dual-lifestyle that they will eventually receive their just comeuppance.
-David L
The cardinal becomes weary towards the finale of the play yet from this more murder and killing prevails as the cardinal poisons Julia, the cardinal’s strength and persistence to commit treason and murder does not disintegrate nearing the end of the play. Ennui suggests tiredness, and discontent, or boredom. Whilst it is evident that the cardinal leads duplicity throughout the play, he is unrelentingly unchanged by his double standards nearing the end of the play. . He threatens to kill Bosola “I’ll have thee hewed in pieces!” The short and sharp energy of his tone here resembled anger, not weariness. Such a notion could suggest that the cardinal’s ennui is lesser than perhaps what the audience might predict it to be. Such could also suggest that the cardinal is unaffected by this, that killing and committing sins does not affect him. “He demonstrates no love or loyalty”. The cardinal show no moral contempt for his actions, as one might think from a man who’s status demands of him to be loyal to god, to love his fellow man and to be courteous. These are not the characteristics we see of the cardinal, and in his lack of contempt, we see how leading a double life, one as religious man with high ranking in the catholic church and one as a murderer creates no ennui. His desperation when finally confronted with Bosola is symbolic of his energy to deviate from the consequences of his double life. “His absence of boredom, leads him to plead for help, for his life, not the gestures of a man whom you would believe to be bored with the duplicity of his life. He threatens to kill Bosola “I’ll have thee hewed in pieces!” The short, and sharp energy of his tone here resembled anger, not weariness.
Regards,
Antony West
The cardinal’s ennui in Act 5 suggests the notion of someone who lives a double life. We see the cardinals desire for death throughout the play and none more clear than the murder of Julia. Her death is important as the cardinal confesses in Julia, giving us this conflict between a man with a heavy conscience and a man who drives for murder in a bid for control. Certainly, this is a result of him living a double standard life. Even though by the end of the play the cardinal is tired of working to keep control, and at his death he is more or less willing to die, in Act 5 scene 2 we still see evidence for it. The cardinal kills Julia, threatens Bosola, hides his brother’s madness all in a bid to stay at the top, and try to manipulate events. Being a cardinal, he shows no moral dilemma for the acts he does, though his confession in Julia does suggest that he is trying to get a weight off his shoulders, or that his sister’s death is something that was playing on his mind. However, it’s more likely that her dishonour is what is eating away at him, and the fact that he gives reason to her death shows no moral awareness. When he is stabbed at the end, his plea for help from his guards shows again his energy to control and divert from the consequences of his actions. Trying in a desperate way to live shows how his double standard life has controlled his actions, making him a product of deception.
Carl
The killing of Julia in this act is the main spark of events. Bosola is just waiting for a moment to strike though he is too late to save Julia after the Cardinal kills her. Though the cardinal seems to have no compassion for any of the things he has done, his conversation with Julia seems to emply that the death of the Duchess has been weighing on his mind. To an extent that he feels it will work away at him for "seven year hence". The Cardinal is the complete contrast to his social position. The trueness of his position is minimal as he is a murderous lustful creature that should never be a cardinal. His passion for death and his behaviour in general shows that morally he is nowherer near acceptable, hense why Bosola has the upper hand in the eyes of the audience when killing the Cardinal. It is made to feel as if he deserves his death, and in my eyes also he certainly did deserve to be wiped from his position and killed for the safety of others. Though even in the face of death he seems to have no remorse, he tries to summon his guards for help, though in his sorry position he had no authority over them, and if they had any morality in them atall they would, and did act correctly as they knew they would not have had to face the consequences for not helping him as he wa son course to death anyway.
Mr Bradley Simson.
The Cardinals double lifestyle begins to effect him early in the book in my opinion. Despite being a cruel man, he shows some humanity when he and his brother are first talking about the Duchess becoming pregnant. At multiple times throughout the conversation Ferdinand talks down upon his sister in disgust, only to have the Cardinal defend her.
FERDINAND
Why, to make soft lint for his mother's wounds, When I have hewed her to pieces.
CARDINAL
Cursed creature!
It almost seems like the Cardinal tries to hide his defence by insulting women immediately afterwards, saying;
Unequal nature, to place women's hearts so far upon the left side.
After the Duchess' death he shows little remorse and goes on almost directly afterwards to threaten Antonio, clearly indicating he has contrasting lives. It is made even more clear that the Cardinals double life is effecting him when in Act 5, we see the man who earlier wanted his sister and her husband dead, now calls for his guards and screams Here's a plot upon me! I am assulted! I am lost unless some rescue! The sword is at my throat!
He is less dignified than the Duchess at her moment of death, possibly indicating a conscious, or even the real Cardinal that was hidden behind another life and persona.
Sam Ellis
The Cardinal’s ennui of being bored or disillusioned with life in the Duchess of Malfi, especially in Act 5 scene 2 can be seen to an extent similar to other characters in the play that live by double standards or two lives. However, although we see the Cardinal’s dullness and pessimistic aptitude run parallel to other characters, actions by them determine that not all characters in the book feel the same outlook on life as he does, despite living double lives.
The cardinal’s treatment of Julia presents his ennui at its highest, by using her as a tool and having an affair with her, the Cardinal portrays his double standards to the audience, he forbids his sister from remarry and claims the importance of ‘The royal blood of Argon and Castile’, that it should remain royal and pure, whilst engaging himself despite being The Cardinal, in sexual activities. The Cardinals boredom is presented by his lack of care and understanding of the consequences of his actions, this however is not followed by other characters to a far extent. However, within Act 5 scene 2, we see a hint of remorse from The Cardinal in his confession to Julia. However, although we see his remorse the question arises, whether it was actual real remorse for the death of his sister or the psychological impact of living a double life, which spiralled out of control. If we are to presume The Cardinal begins to feel guilt for his sisters death, then why is he so able to poison Julia.
The cardinals dual and contradictory life style that consists of him having a lustful relationship with Julia and a corrupt murderess mind all while holding the title of cardinal connotes that he is a man who is in control and can still live a life of double standards while being in total control. Webster portrayal of the cardinal illustrates that he only cares about himself and not the consciences of his actions. holding the title of cardinal denotes that he is in power but not the sort of power that this character craves that is where the cardinals ennui derides from. His corrupt nature forces him to excite himself thus living in double standards.In act 5 we see how the cardinals ennui finely catches up with him as he suggests to Julia that the death of his sister is effecting him. The cardinal depicts a softer side whilst talking to Julia but as soon as he reveals what he is feeling its seems that the calm cool composure that he carries dissolves as I believe that by telling Julia about what he is feeling Webster portrays the cardinal loosing control because in that situation the cardinal was not in control of his own destiny thus poisoning which lead to him killing Julia. The death of the cardinal leaves the audience with satisfying feeling of justice being done because the cardinal is in a position where he abuses his status and allows his ennui to engulf him thus making it easier for the audience to accept his death at the hands of Bosola. the cardinal is self centred and cares only for himself his double standard life makes it almost impossible to decipher weather he is being genuine or not his sisters death could have altered this statement but through his actions against Julia it emphasis's hat he could not be trusted.
The ennui of the cardinal in act 5 is reflective of his inability to maintain his living of double standards. He is a figure of dependence in the play and the impossibility of the task to please everyone who depends on him wears him thin, and as the fatal consequences of his actions draw closer to his heart he lacks the motivation to continue and as a result dies an exhausted and submissive death. As a brother he is inclined to care and love for his sister, but also for Ferdinand, and after the revelation of the duchess’s marriage, he was forced to part with this and focus his responsibility as a leader, in role as a priest and cardinal. However, his dissatisfaction with the pleasures of religion and power resulted in him turning his back on this and privately looking for more personal and intimate escapes, found in Julia. However, by then end of the play we see he has evolved beyond his socially acceptable boundaries and has abused his responsibility for many lives. The death of the Duchess and the insanity of Ferdinand diminished his role as a brother, his arrangement of many merciless killings degrades his religious role, the private affair with Julia distracts him from his power and responsibility as a cardinal, and the death of Julia puts an end to his love life. By his death he has lost everything because of his inability to sustain his living of double standards.
DK
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