How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
VINDICE
Sister, y'have sentenced most direct, and true;
The law's a woman, and would she were you.(1.1.122-123)
Castiza thinks Junior deserves to die for raping Antonio's wife, and here, Vindice not only praises his sister's judgment, he also describes law itself as a woman. Maybe Middleton wouldn't flunk Women's Studies after all.
Quote #2
VINDICE
I'faith then father, thou wast wise indeed,
'Wives are but made to go to bed and feed.'(1.1.145-146)
Then again, Middleton might be headed for that fail in Women's Studies. Here, Vindice praises his father's decision not to confide in his mother about many things, which is a pretty glum view of women for a man who was praising his sister's judgment a few lines ago.
Quote #3
JUDGE
That lady's name has spread such a fair wing
Over all Italy, that if our tongues
Were sparing toward the fact, judgement itself
Would be condemned and suffer in men's thoughts.(1.2.60-63)
Apparently women can get some leverage in public opinion, at least. On the other hand, that's not much good when you're dead.
Quote #4
VINDICE
Wer't not for gold and women, there would be no damnation; Hell would look like a lord's great kitchen without fire in't.
But, 'twas decreed before the world began,
That they should be the hooks to catch at man.(2.1.274-277)
Blame the women. Seems a bit unfair, since it's Vindice who's just spent the last scene working for a man (Lussurioso) trying to undo a woman. Not to mention that Vindice has just been tempting his own mother and sister to the Dark Side.
Quote #5
DUCHESS
I'll kill him in his forehead, hate there feed:
That wound is deepest though it never bleed.(1.2.120-121)
She may not be able to violently exact her revenge against the Duke, but she can cheat on him and fill him with self-doubt and hatred and all kinds of terrible thoughts and feelings, penetrating his mind while leaving his body intact.
Quote #6
HIPPOLITO
Nay then, step forth thou bribeless officer. [Draws his sword.]
I bind you all in steel to bind you surely:
Here let your oaths meet, to be kept and paid,
Which else will stick like rust, and shame the blade.
Strengthen my vow, that if at the next sitting,
Judgement speak all in gold and spare the blood
Of such a serpent, e'en before their seats,
To let his soul out, which long since was found
Guilty in heaven.(1.4.59-67)
Hippolito, usually the mellower brother compared to Vindice, sure takes a stand for justice and/or vengeance here. He's trying to get Antonio and Piero to join him in avenging the rape of Antonio's wife. Interestingly, both his commitment to vengeance and Vindice's are based on wrongs done by men to women. Is the play saying that men are especially likely to seek revenge when someone has hurt a woman?
Quote #7
CASTIZA
Why, say so madman, and cut a great deal
of dirty way. Had it not been better spoke in
ordinary words that one would speak with me?(2.1.17-19)
Castiza's definitely one of the most sensible characters in the play. She could say the same thing as she does here to her brother Vindice, who's always coming up with long, strange speeches. Whatever the play says about women, we'd sure rather have Castiza giving directions to the pizza guy than Vindice.
Quote #8
MOTHER
O you heavens. Take this infectious spot out of my soul,
I'll rinse it in seven waters of mine eyes;
Make my tears salt enough to taste of grace.
To weep is to our sex naturally given:
But to weep truly, that's a gift from heaven.(4.4.57-61)
It's worth noting that this female character repents for her bad behavior. Have we seen any male characters repenting in this play? Didn't think so.
Quote #9
VINDICE
For honest women are so seld and rare,
'Tis good to cherish those poor few that are.(4.4.66-67)
Following his mother's repentance, Vindice sounds awfully sexist. On the other hand, he frequently says the same kinds of things about men, so maybe he's just depressed about human nature. What do you think—is Vindice an equal opportunity hater?
Quote #10
ANTONIO
How subtly was that murder closed. Bear up
Those tragic bodies, 'tis a heavy season:
Pray heaven their blood may wash away all treason.(5.3.158-160)
Is Antonio doing what men are supposed to do in the play here? Restoring order, mourning evil, and seeking to build something good? Or is this more a hollow reflection on how bad things are in the world of this play?