Literary magazine
Camillo actually lay with Bra-
epistrophe,
“what
are
ence more aware of the rot-
chiano and Flamineo, “I am
whores?” reinforces the gen-
ten political world that she
at the mark, sir, I’ll give aim
eral impression of violent mi-
lives in, which would have
to you, And tell you how
sogyny and sinister lechery
led to uncomfortable com-
near you shoot.” Introducing
conveyed by this speech.
parisons with the English
such military imagery also
The irony that a cardinal
court at the time. In a way
reminds the audience of
should be so well instructed
which would have delighted
the fact that this trial will be
of these practices is rein-
the mostly Protestant crowd,
decided by power not jus-
forced as Monticelso had
she offers insightful criti-
tice. Our understanding of
just charged Vittoria with
cisms of the power Monticel-
events is complicated by
“your trade instructs your
so wields in the courtroom,
knowledge that Vittoria is
language” and this would not
“my honourable lord it doth
playing the role of the inno-
have been lost on the audi-
not suit a reverend cardinal
cent to some degree when
ence. Monticelso loses
to play a lawyer thus,” draw-
considering the implications
much of his dignity here.
ing attention to both the ille-
of the dream she has re-
This is commented on by the
gitimacy of the trial and the
counted to Brachiano, but
English ambassador, an im-
dangerous conflation of
the audience’s sympathies
partial witness, who is clear-
church and state in Rome.
are firmly with her at this
ly meant to help direct the
Further drawing attention to
point and this filters how
sentiments the audience.
Monticelso’s power as a car-
they see the rest of the trial.
The effect is to create a di-
dinal, she comments “O poor
chotomy between the witty
Charity! Thou art seldom
Her next intelligent move is
figure of the Vittoria and the
found in scarlet,” this con-
to goad Monticelso into a
enraged
and
vindictive
trasts his political power with
highly
damaging
tirade
churchman, furthering the
what the church was origi-
about whores which seems
crowd’s support for her. By
nally intended to be: a hum-
to suggest an unhealthy
winning the support of the
ble and charitable religion.
fascination
and
crowd Vittoria’s wit becomes
Contextually, this might have
knowledge
of
effective in creating pathos
resonated with an audience
prostitution:
when she is eventually con-
as the Stuarts were great
“Shall I expound
demned, and support for her
believers in ecclesiasticism
whore to you?
plight as a woman as she is
while more radical forms of
Sure I shall:
manipulated by sinister mas-
Protestantism such as Puri-
I’ll
give
culine forces beyond her
tanism disliked this idea of
their per-
control. Vittoria’s words also
hierarchy within the church.
fect char-
have a deeper significance
acter.” The
in helping to make the audi-
17
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