The Duchess of Malfi Characters

Main Characters

Bosola

• Tool for Cardinal and Ferdinand's evil deeds.
• Hired by Ferdinand to spy on the Duchess as her horse manager.
• Initially reluctant to spy, but murders for hire.
• Shows remorse as events worsen (banishment and murder of the Duchess and family).
• Turns against Ferdinand and Cardinal, avenges Duchess and Antonio by murdering them when not rewarded.

The Duchess

• Young widow and sister to the Cardinal and twin to Ferdinand.
• Strong-willed, brave, passionate, proud, loving wife, and mother.
• Marries Antonio against her brothers’ wishes, highlighting her virtue against their evil.

Ferdinand

• Duke of Calabria, Duchess's twin brother.
• Notorious for his temper, greed, lust, and obsession with his sister.
• Becomes deranged after ordering the Duchess's murder and regrets it too late.
• Associated with fire imagery.

The Cardinal

• Older brother of Duchess and Ferdinand, Cardinal of Aragon.
• Represents calculated evil, Machiavellian.
• Loses control, allowing Bosola to exploit and kill him.

Antonio

• Steward of Duchess's household.
• Secretly marries the Duchess.
• Honest, good horseman, loving husband and father.
• Passive in crises, unable to protect family.

Delio

• Antonio’s friend, confided with Duchess's marriage secret.
• Loyal to the family.
• Interested in Julia.

Secondary Characters

Cariola

• Duchess's maid and confidant.
• Witness to Duchess's marriage.
• Killed for keeping the secret.

Julia

• Cardinal's mistress; married to Castruccio.
• Used by Bosola to extract a confession from the Cardinal, later poisoned.

The Children

• Three children of Duchess and Antonio; two are murdered, oldest survives symbolizing hope.

Count Malateste

• Soldier avoiding battles, scorned as a coward.
• Recommended by Ferdinand to Duchess as a husband.

Marquis of Pescara

• Honorable soldier, assists during Bosola’s attack on the Cardinal.

Castruccio

• Ferdinand’s courtier, Julia’s older husband.

Silvio, Roderigo, Grisolan

• Courtiers under Ferdinand.

Old Lady

• A midwife, ridiculed by Bosola.

Doctor

• Diagnoses Ferdinand’s lycanthropia, uses fear as treatment.

Two Pilgrims

• Observe and comment on the Duchess's exile ceremony.

Mad Astrologer, Mad Doctor, Mad Priest, Mad Lawyer

• Sent to drive the Duchess insane during her imprisonment.