Webster's characters express some pretty dark philosophies in The White Devil. No one seems to discuss Christianity in any meaningful way (though Cornelia seems sort of Christian). Instead, older Greek and Roman philosophies or hard-toothed Renaissance power politics are mainly where these guys look to find a way of life. Machiavelli, who is mentioned once in the play (5.3), was an Italian philosopher famed for giving advice to nobles on how to maintain power at all costs, and Flamineo and Brachiano seem to have taken his advice to heart. The pessimistic, things-are-always-truest-at-their-bleakest, viewpoint seems to be very much present in play as well (especially with Flamineo). Additionally, there's Stoicism, characterized by a belief in mental and emotional toughness and in virtue as the key to life. Francisco expresses some Stoic ideas.
Questions About Philosophical Viewpoints: Machiavellianism, Pessimism, and Stoicism
- Which of these three philosophies would you say best describes Flamineo's worldview?
- Do Brachiano or Vittoria have a personal philosophy?
- Is there any Christianity in the play? If so, who speaks for the Christian perspective? Cornelia?
- Do you identify with any of these philosophies? Or do you think any of them seem to have elements of truth in them? Are any wholly false?
Chew on This
"You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." – Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher
"Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions." –Machiavelli