The Ol' Swap?

Beatrice: "About midnight

You must not fail to steal forth gently,

That I may use the place."

Diaphanta: "Oh, fear not, madam,

I shall be cool by that time. [Aside] The bride's place,

And with a thousand ducats! I'm for a justice now.

I bring a potion with me; I scorn small fools."

(IV.1.124-130).

I honestly can't believe that Beatrice put Diaphanta in her place! Although this might not be the most interesting passages, I couldn't help but write about how ridiculous this is. However, I am kind of confused as to what Diaphanta's aside is all about: is she saying that she is getting repaid with a thousand ducats? Either way, Diaphanta seems somewhat excited to be swapping places for Beatrice. Additionally, I am more surprised that Diaphanta is looking forward to steal Alsemero for herself...or am I incorrect in this interpretation? 

Enough Already!!!

(All Asides)

Beatrice: "I'm in a labyrinth. What will content him? I would fain be rid of him" (3.iv.72).

Beatrice: "Bless me! I am now in worse plight than I was; I know not what will please him" (3.iv.75-76).

Beatrice: "He speaks home" (3.iv.88).

Beatrice: "The man talks wildly" (3.iv.93).

Beatrice: "Heaven, I doubt him!" (3.iv.94).

Okay, by the time I was done reading this entire page (1629) I was not only exhausted from all the asides, but infuriated. We get the point! I'm wondering if all these asides were introduced for comic relief. Each one (and I believe there are quite a bit more) provide the audience with the sense that Beatrice is an idiot! She starts off by asking this rhetorical question, as if she doesn't know what he really wants. Beatrice continues to throw in these lines relentlessly--but does so after every time De Flores tries to make a move. I would be extremely interested in seeing the rest of the film adaptation, simply because I know how comical this would be. Even though, Middleton was going for a different effect, the dialogue between the two makes them both look foolish. 

A Unique Situation...

Alibius: "Here, I do say, must thy employment be:

To watch her treadings, and in my absence

Supply my place." 

(I.2.37-39).

This is a kind of a funny situation that Alibius is in. He confesses that he has a wife who is much younger than him and is worried that she'll cheat on him while he's away. So to solve this problem, he asks Lollio to watch her "sexual activity?" Although Lollio agrees to do his best, I think that this might be worsening the problem. If I were Alibius, the last thing I would do is let my jealous feelings be known. One can only imagine that there will be some sort of betrayal that is about to ensue, and who knows if that will start with Lollio? However, I can't say that I blame Alibius for being jealous of his wife. In all honesty, there is a good chance that both Antonio and Lollio will try to take advantage of the Alibius' vulnerability. This scene definitely is setting some type of subplot, and I can guarantee that this will be an underlying scenario throughout the play. 

A Genuine Man

Cardinal: "Fail not to come. There is the master key

Of our lodgings; and by that you may conceive

What trust I plant in you.

Bosola: "You shall find me ready."

(V.3.346-349)

I am more impressed with Bosola than the previous act in regards to him "turning over a new leaf." Bosola has made great stride in vindicating himself as a master criminal. Specifically, his previous remarks in Act 4 demonstrated that he was extremely apologetic. But more importantly, actions do speak louder than words; by Bosola taking physical action to plot against those that made him scheme, he is truly emphasizing this idea of sinning. However, now one must consider the argument of whether taking an eye for an eye is moral. Obviously the audience would like to see some idea of closure for the end of the play, and that is about to occur. Nonetheless, the question that now arises is whether Bosola is a better man than Ferdinand for taking action against him? Has he just completely contradicted the entire concept of liberating his conscience? Regardless, his words at the end of this scene convey that he is in fact a genuine person.

The Transformation of Bosola

Bosola: "Never in mine own shape;

That's forfeited, by my intelligence

And this last cruel lie. When you send me next,

The business shall be comfort."

(IV.1.139-142)

Bosola has finally come around, and the above passage is evidence that he has undergone a major transformation in character. Although these specific lines do not reference the exact point I'm making, they are indicator of how Bosola believes that what he is doing is actually wrong. Basically, Bosola does not want to go back to the Duchess as himself because he believes that he has lost her trust. The extent to which Ferdinand has brainwashed Bosola is amazing. I am surprised that Bosola has recognized that he actually values the Duchess--so much that he wants to end the torture. Funny enough, Ferdinand dismisses Bosola's new found feelings. It's ironic that in the next scene, Ferdinand finds himself in Bosola's same position. He feels bad about what he has done. But as another class mate has already mentioned, too little too late. 

Following Ferdinand

Ferdinand: "Let me be ever deaf to't:

One of Pasquil's paper bullets, court calumny,

A pestilent air which princes' palaces

Are seldom purged of. Yet, say that it were true--

I pour it in your bosom--my fixed love

Would strongly excuse, extenuate, nay, deny

Faults, were they apparent in you. Go, be safe

In your own innocency."

(III.1.48-55). 

Again the audience gets this incestuous vibe from Ferdinand in the third act. One can only describe his behavior as being quite bizarre. I find it rather eerie and odd how Ferdinand tells the Duchess to "be safe in [her] own innocency." Obviously, this sentence should be taken with a grain of salt, since Ferdinand is trying to relay a harsh message to his sister. Not to mention, as soon as Ferdinand leaves the room he is extremely quick to make a pass on her guilt. He then further implicates himself in the situation by asking Bosola to spy since she has a "false key into her bedchamber." I think Ferdinand has legitimately gone mad. The fact that Bosola has proposed that the Duchess has had "sorcery" done on her only makes matters worse.

Easy Now Ferdinand

Ferdinand: "Rhubarb, oh, for rhubarb

To purge this choler! Here's the cursed day

To prompt my memory, and here 't shall stick

Till of her bleeding heart I make a sponge

To wipe it out."

(II.5.12-16).

Here we finally see Ferdinand and his outrageous anger/behavior. Not only is he angry, but it appears as though he has become psychotic. However, the entire time the Cardinal is telling Ferdinand to keep his composure. Here is evidence of the dichotomy between the Ferdinand and the Cardinal: Ferdinand wants nothing else but to commit murder, while the Cardinal takes another route by taking self-control. Again, no one can really blame Ferdinand for his quick-thinking scheme. Thankfully, the cardinal puts some sense into Ferdinand and he agrees to do nothing. This is nothing unusual--an overprotective brother wants to seek revenge on the man that impregnated his sister. Ironically however, Ferdinand is not the typical older brother. In fact, he has so much anger that his emotions for her appear to be incestuous.