The Duchess of Malfi

Ferdinand goes to visit the imprisoned Duchess. Bosola reports that she is conducting herself with noble solemnity, which frustrates Ferdinand. Bosola reports Ferdinand’s arrival to the Duchess and says Ferdinand will only meet her in complete darkness, as he has sworn never to see her again. He removes the lights and Ferdinand enters. 

Ferdinand insults the Duchess and her children. He asks her to kiss the ring on his hand but holds out a dead man’s hand. Startled by its coldness, the Duchess calls for the lights. Ferdinand leaves the hand and flees. The Duchess sees the hand and a scene projected upon a screen, showing the dead silhouettes of Antonio and her child.

Bosola says that the hand is Antonio’s and is proof that her family is dead. The Duchess sees no point in continuing to live and asks to be bound to Antonio’s corpse so she can freeze to death. Bosola says she must live and remember she is Christian, but she insists she will then starve herself to death. Bosola seems to pity the Duchess and tries to comfort her, but she is inconsolable. She tells Bosola a swift death would be a kindness, and then leaves.