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. 

Answered by English Literature tutor

4071 Views

See similar English Literature A Level tutors

Related English Literature A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I begin a paragraph in an English essay?


How does the dramatic opening scene of King Lear unleash the radical and powerful forces that result in the traditional order being overturned?


Compare the Portrayal of The American Dream in The Great Gatsby, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?


Identify and anaylse the literary devices used by Shakespeare in Sonnet 29.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences