How we cite our quotes: Act.Scene
Quote #1
Corn. What! because we are poor
Shall we be vicious? (1.2)
Cornelia is suggesting that poverty isn't a good enough excuse for murderousness. But, in Flamineo's eyes, that's just what they want you to think. Power and the courage to use it, even for the darkest deeds, is all that really matters.
Quote #2
Flam. The duchess come to court! I like not that.
We are engag'd to mischief, and must on;
As rivers to find out the ocean
Flow with crook bendings beneath forced banks,
Or as we see, to aspire some mountain's top,
The way ascends not straight, but imitates
The subtle foldings of a winter's snake,
So who knows policy and her true aspect,
Shall find her ways winding and indirect. (1.2)
Flamineo doesn't view ambition as something that can just rocket straight to the top. It has to roll with the times (and the punches), gradually snaking its way to its goal. The "snake" metaphor is particularly apt, especially in Flamineo's case, given his devilish style.
Quote #3
Flam. Hum! thou art a soldier,
Followest the great duke, feed'st his victories,
As witches do their serviceable spirits,
Even with thy prodigal blood: what hast got?
But, like the wealth of captains, a poor handful,
Which in thy palm thou bear'st, as men hold water;
Seeking to grip it fast, the frail reward
Steals through thy fingers. (3.1)
Flamineo is criticizing Marcello's way of doing things—it's not enough to just be a lackey and a follower. Though Flamineo is technically a lackey and a follower of Brachiano, he's twisting it to his own advantage. The only point of serving another person is to serve your self, in his view.
Quote #4
Flam. Hear me:
And thus, when we have even pour'd ourselves
Into great fights, for their ambition,
Or idle spleen, how shall we find reward?
But as we seldom find the mistletoe,
Sacred to physic, on the builder oak,
Without a mandrake by it; so in our quest of gain,
Alas, the poorest of their forc'd dislikes
At a limb proffers, but at heart it strikes!
This is lamented doctrine. (3.1)
Flamineo is irritated that his quest for gain runs into obstacles—the same way mistletoe, considered a medicinal plant in Webster's time, is frequently found near a mandrake, which is poisonous. It annoys him that, in trying to help himself, he could easily destroy himself (which he does).
Quote #5
Flam…It may appear to some ridiculous
Thus to talk knave and madman, and sometimes
Come in with a dried sentence, stuffed with sage:
But this allows my varying of shapes;
Knaves do grow great by being great men's apes. (4.2)
Flamineo excuses his crazy behavior, explaining that's it's all just part of his way of getting to the top. You have to be a great man's "ape" (hired lackey or stooge) before you can continue your crawl upwards.