Social Transgression in John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi

There has always been an emphasis on the role of literature in providing unique insights into human conditions through literary texts. The interdisciplinary connection between society and literature has been used as a regulatory framework countless times throughout history by providing dynamic approaches for reaching the aim of a just and moral society. Resistance and social transgression have always been controversial subjects, especially when it comes to gender. The character and the play of The Duchess of Malfi (1612-1613) by John Webster have inspired so many prominent writers in the legal, literary communities to produce works regarding social transgression and social disobedience. The Duchess of Malfi is considered the epitome of social transgression by so many critics not because she is a woman, but her actions were in defiance of the common norms. As such, this paper places Webster's character, the Duchess of Malfi, in the context of its contemporary drama. Within an analytic framework, this paper delves into the play's context to highlight notable gender resistance episodes within the play. The anticipated finding is that the Duchess's resistance to the prevailing notion regarding women's rights and privileges is considered to be a social transgression

کلیدواژه ها:

Social transgression ، Resistance ، Duchess of Malfi ، Gender