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The Duchess of Malfi Allusions & Cultural References

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Biblical References

  • Laban, Genesis 30.31 (1.1.291)
  • Samson, Judges 15.4 (3.3.37)
  • Deuteronomy 28.23 (4.2.25)

Literary and Philosophical References

  • Pliny (1.1.116)
  • Michelangelo (3.3.51)
  • The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia, Sir Philip Sidney (4.1.5, 12, 81, 89) (4.2.31) (5.2.130, 168, 170, 188, 211) (5.5.99, 117)
  • The White Devil, John Webster (4.2.136)
  • Essayes, Montaigne (4.2.201) (5.3.9) (5.5.74)
  • Seneca (4.2.209)
  • Odes 1.22 Horace (5.5.119)

Historical References

  • Galileo (2.4.17)
  • Portia, wife of Brutus (4.1.70)
  • Paracelsus (4.2.25)

Classical References

  • The Trojan horse (1.1.139)
  • Vulcan (1.1.307)
  • Zeus and Danaë (2.2.19)
  • Daphne (3.2.24)
  • Paris (3.2.35)
  • Charon and Styx (3.5.106-7)