What was the last piece of advice the Duchess gave to Cariola regarding her children?
The Duchess of Malfi is a notable literary work by John Webster. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Duchess of Malfi.
Answer
What was the last piece of advice the Duchess gave to Cariola regarding her children?
In Webster’s (1578 – 1632) “The Duchess of Malfi,” the Duchess gives her last advice to Cariola, who is her servant and also a close friend. This advice is about her children. This emotional scene happens in Act 4, Scene 2. In this part of the play, the Duchess knows that her death is very near. Her cruel brothers have sent people to kill her.
Last Piece of Advice: Before she dies, the Duchess gives her last advice to Cariola about her children. She says:
“I pray thee, look thou giv’st my little boy
Some syrup for his cold, and let the girl
Say her prayers ere she sleep.”
This means that the Duchess is worried about her children. She tells Cariola to take care of her son by giving him some medicine for his cold. She also says that her daughter should say her prayers before going to bed. This shows that the Duchess is a loving and caring mother. Even at the moment of her death, she is thinking about the health and safety of her children.
A Loving Mother: This last advice is very simple but very touching. It shows her motherly love. It also shows her calmness in a time of fear and danger. She does not cry or shout. Instead, she talks softly about small, everyday things like medicine and prayers. This makes her death more noble and peaceful. It makes the audience feel very sad for her.
In short, the Duchess wants Cariola to protect her children from the harsh world. In her time of death, she thinks of her children and dies with dignity.