Williams and Webster present societies in which ‘Black deeds must be cured by death’. In what ways could you apply this statement about sin and justice to your study of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’?.

In both Williams and Webster’s plays, the imposition of “black deeds” upon the women protagonists result in their demise, yet they are victims, not perpetrators of evil. However, in “Malfi” there is a stronger sense of justice as the Aragonian brother’s misdeeds are cured by death, whereas in “Streetcar” , the immoral are championed. Whereas Blanche does have some downfalls, only truly “black deeds” are cured with death in Webster’s play.