‘A bit of a playa…’

PURPOSE: Used as a contrast to the Duchess -Both are with people they want (has true feelings for the Cardinal) “You have prevailed with me beyond my strongest thoughts” (Act 2 scene 4) -The Cardinal knows to be weary of her changeable ways “Thou art a witty false one” (Act 2 scene 4)

Turns from a mistress to a prostitute (receives payment-ill gotten land) - Julia is described as a “strumpet” when Pescara bestows Antonio’s land to her “This land, tane from the owner by such wrong, returns again unto so foul a use” (Act 5 scene 1) Use- refers to Cardinal ‘gifting’ the land to Julia

When Delio is introduced Julia refers to him as “one of my old suiters” eg. She’s already had a fling -Very flirtatious -Goes against the female idea of chasteness- contrast to the Duchess who is actually very chaste but is persecuted because of people’s assumptions about her- ironic -Upper class men want her to be their mistress (They don’t care about her actions- links to theme of corruption and power.)

Audience discovers her relationship with the Cardinal is not a secret (ie people know the type of person she is) Delio asks Julia to be his mistress D: “I would wish you… my mistress” J: “Sir, I’ll go ask my husband if I shall and straight return your answer” Doesn’t say ‘no’

Turns her lust on Bosola “T’was you hir’d to put love powder in my drink” -Doesn’t even know him- just of him -Still with Cardinal, checking out another guy “What an excellent shape hath that fellow” -Shows her shallowness/ shallow nature. Only sees people for their appearance. -Flirting with Bosola- doesn’t‘ even know what actual love is. (Morals inverted to the Duchess-juxtaposition)

“Compare thy form and my eyes together. You’ll find my love is no such great miracle. Now you’ll say I’m a wonton. This nice modesty in ladies is but a troublesome familiar that haunts them.” Shows her lust, perversion of morals -Female sexuality theme -Greed themes! -Position of women in society

Changeable- “whereas now I woo you” (talking to Bosola after being with Cardinal) Lustful- “strumpet” “wonton” “The only remedy to do me good is to kill my longing” Manipulative- “If you lay beauty to my charge, I must plead unguilty” (anything to get Bosola) Nosy- “Pray let me know your business and your suit as briefly as can be” (…curiosity killed the cat…! )

Immodest- “This nice modesty in ladies is but a troublesome familiar that haunts them.” Prostitutes self- takes ‘payment’ if land from C “He shall know how doubly I am engaged, both in your gift and speediness of giving.” “’tis a gratification only due to a strumpet”

People think lowly of her “I could not have thought of a friend rather pleasure with it: ‘tis yours” - Referring to giving Julia corrupt land to match her corrupt personality/ character “Thou art a witty false one” - clever but to the wrong cause

Starts out as an innocent lady of sorts who conforms to society (Cardinal “wooed me first”) Ends up as a harlet who is greedy, lustful and gossips- “Remove this land from off my bosom. What’s the matter?” (puts it on self to find out more) Moves away from ideal Christian woman model throughout play eg gossiping, prostitution, chastisty, lack of immodesty

Lowly, rude, disrespectful, demanding “Tell your echo this, Or flatterer, that, like echoes, still report What they hear, though most imperfect and not me: For if you be true to yourself, I’ll know” - Julia to the Cardinal (Threatening and manipulative)

“There wants fire where there are no lively sparks of roughness” -Julia to Bosola (Raw improper emotion. Too intense for woman of the time) “My lord, I am grown your poor petitioner, and should be an ill gotten beggar, had I not a great man’s letter here, the Cardinal’s to court you in my favour” -Julia to Pescara (Contrasts Duchess, manipulates, tries to worm her way in to make Pescara feel sorry for her. Wants ill gotten land for herself- corruption/bribery)