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Article: Webster's 'The White Devil,' 4.2.170-71. (John Webster)
- Article from:
- The Explicator
- Article date:
- September 22, 1993
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 Heldref Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Hand her, my Lord, and kisse her: be not like A ferret to let go your hold with blowing. (4.2.170-71)(1)
These lines from The White Devil are spoken by Flamineo to his master the Duke of Brachiano, who, following a lovers' quarrel with Flamineo's sister Vittoria, during which he called her a whore, is trying to persuade her to a reconcilement. The ostensible meaning of the lines is that Brachiano should embrace Vittoria and hold onto her, and not, as would a ferret, release what he has seized simply because of being blown upon.
There is no question about where Flamineo's interest lies in this passage and in the play. Both as Brachiano's secretary and as his ...