Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2
by John Webster
Inte
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and
the
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Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 1 of 9
Lesson plan
Resources Resource A – Pictures of brothers Resorce B – Bible story: Cain and
Abel (Genesis 4) Resource C – The White Devil
extracts Resource D – The White Devil film
clip Blank paper (for venn diagrams) Learning objectives To understand the story of Cain and
Abel
To apply a religious interpretation to
The White Devil
Starter activity – brothers
and conflicts (response to visual stimulus) View the images of brothers
[Resource A]. These could be
projected using a data projector,
printed out, or printed and cut up
for individual/paired responses. Ask:
What is the common theme with
these pictures? (brothers in
conflict; brothers and betrayals)
What has happened with
each pair of brothers?
What betrayals do we find
most shocking and why?
What other examples of
brothers in conflict can we
think of?
Consider why the idea of one
brother betraying another so
grips the public imagination, and
inspires so much fiction. Why is
one brother’s betrayal of another
so powerful?
Introduction – reading and responding to the Cain and
Abel story Read Genesis 4: 1-16 [Resource B]
and establish understanding of the
story (e.g. by bullet-pointing or
quickly story-boarding the events,
or getting four volunteers to act out
the story - narrator, God, Cain,
Abel).
What is our response to the story?
Why did Cain kill Abel?
Why is this story so foundational?
(first murder in the Bible, very
influential e.g. one of
Shakespeare’s most used stories)
Teach the key word: fratricide.
Main activity 1 – reading and
making connections Recap knowledge of Flamineo and
Marcello and their relationship. Why
is conflict inevitable between the
characters?
Read The White Devil extracts
[Resource C] and watch The White
Devil film clip [Resource D]
How does Webster make the
fratricide so shocking? (E.g.
suddenness of the event, the
omen with the crucifix, Flamineo’s
casual attitude, the links to the
Bible story.)
What connections can we make
between the Bible story and The
White Devil?
What are the similarities and
differences? (For example:
similarities = brothers,
sudden murder, murderers
get sent away as
punishment
differences = motivations
for murder, Marcello seems
to provoke Flamineo, extra
details given e.g. broken
crucifix, etc.)
Thinking time then feed back
initial ideas.
Main activity 2 – Venn diagrams Teacher models putting ideas of
similarities and differences into a
venn diagram (i.e. the distinctive
details of the Genesis account in one
circle, the distinctive details of the
White Devil story in another circle and
shared details where the circles
overlap)
Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2 by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 2 of 9
Students complete this (which
could be done in pairs or groups,
perhaps using A3/sugar paper
which can be displayed for
revision)
Students annotate around the
outside of the venn diagram,
suggesting why there is overlap /
distinctiveness. For example:
Webster keeps some details
the same to make the
parallel clear and therefore to
shock the audience and to
condemn Flamineo
other parts he changes
perhaps for thematic reasons
(e.g.
implicating Marcello,
since few characters are
presented as completely
innocent in The White
Devil – corrupt society
theme
using Zanche as
provocation links to
theme of illicit
relationships, social class
divide, and the
black/white issue, etc.)
Plenary – reflections Class discussion: How and why does
Webster use the Cain and Abel story
in The White Devil?
What does this religious
interpretation show us about:
1) The origins of the fratricide
theme?
2) The character of Flamineo?
3) The relationship between
Flamineo and Marcello?
4) The kind of society Webster
presents?
5) Webster’s messages and
warnings?
6) Jacobean use of - and
familiarity with - Bible
stories?
7) The on-going use / impact of
the Cain and Abel story?
You may also wish to look ahead
to Vittoria’s letter in Act 5, Scene
6, where she (prophetically?)
writes: ‘I give that portion to
thee and no other/ Which Cain
groaned under having slain his
brother.’ In the final scene of the
play, this is a sort of divine
judgement upon Flamineo for his
fratricide.
Homework suggestions Either:
An essay analysing the impact of
the fratricide on the Jacobean
audience.
Further research on - and
annotation of - these scenes
using notes from the Cross
Reference website
(http://www.crossref-
it.info/textguide/The-White-
Devil/32/2215;
http://www.crossref-
it.info/textguide/The-White-
Devil/32/2216)
Inte
rtex
tual
ity
and
the
cont
ext
of r
ecep
tion
: T
he
Wh
ite
De
vil
– A
ct 5
sce
nes
1 an
d 2
Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2
by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 3 of 9
Resources
Resource A – Images of brothers
Scar and Mufasa (The Lion King)
Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
Inte
rtex
tual
ity
and
the
cont
ext
of r
ecep
tion
: T
he
Wh
ite
De
vil
– A
ct 5
sce
nes
1 an
d 2
Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2 by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 4 of 9
Ryan Giggs and Rhodri Giggs
Grant Mitchell and Phil Mitchell (Eastenders)
Inte
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of r
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: T
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sce
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Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2 by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 5 of 9
Steve and Andy McDonald (Coronation Street)
Ed Miliband and David Miliband
King Hamlet and King Claudius (Hamlet)
Inte
rtex
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and
the
cont
ext
of r
ecep
tion
: T
he
Wh
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– A
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sce
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1 an
d 2
Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2 by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 6 of 9
Resource B
Genesis 4
1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have
gotten a man from the LORD.
2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was
a tiller of the ground.
3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground
an offering unto the LORD.
4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And
the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and
his countenance fell.
6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance
fallen?
7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth
at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the
field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not:
Am I my brother's keeper?
10And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me
from the ground.
11And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive
thy brother's blood from thy hand;
12When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength;
a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
13And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy
face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall
come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
15And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall
be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him
should kill him.
16And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod,
on the east of Eden.
Inte
rtex
tual
ity
and
the
cont
ext
of r
ecep
tion
: T
he
Wh
ite
De
vil
– A
ct 5
sce
nes
1 an
d 2
Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2 by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 7 of 9
Resource C
The White Devil Act 5, Scene 1, Scene 2, by John Webster
1 John 3:11-12 11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another.12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one,
and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works
were evil, and his brother's righteous.
Flam. You're a boy, a fool,
Be guardian to your hound;
Marc. And, for you, I'll whip
This folly from you.
Flam. Are you choleric?
I'll purge it with rhubarb.
Hort. Oh, your brother!
Flam. Hang him,
He wrongs me most, that ought t' offend me least:
I do suspect my mother play'd foul play,
When she conceiv'd thee.
Marc. Now, by all my hopes,
Like the two slaughter'd sons of Oedipus,
The very flames of our affection
Shall turn two ways. Those words I'll make thee answer
With thy heart-blood.
Flam. Do, like the geese in the progress;
You know where you shall find me.
Marc. Very good. [Exit Flamineo].
And thou be'st a noble friend, bear him my sword,
And bid him fit the length on't.
Hort. Sir, I shall.
Inte
rtex
tual
ity
and
the
cont
ext
of r
ecep
tion
: T
he
Wh
ite
De
vil
– A
ct 5
sce
nes
1 an
d 2
Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2 by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 8 of 9
Act 5 scene 2
Enter Marcello and Cornelia
Corn. I hear a whispering all about the court,
You are to fight: who is your opposite?
What is the quarrel?
Marc. 'Tis an idle rumour.
Corn. Will you dissemble? sure you do not well
To fright me thus: you never look thus pale,
But when you are most angry. I do charge you,
Upon my blessing--nay, I 'll call the duke,
And he shall school you.
Marc. Publish not a fear,
Which would convert to laughter: 'tis not so.
Was not this crucifix my father's?
Corn. Yes.
Marc. I have heard you say, giving my brother suck
He took the crucifix between his hands, [Enter Flamineo]
And broke a limb off.
Corn. Yes, but 'tis mended.
Flam. I have brought your weapon back. [Flamineo runs Marcello
through].
Corn. Ha! Oh, my horror!
Marc. You have brought it home, indeed.
Corn. Help! Oh, he's murder'd!
Flam. Do you turn your gall up? I 'll to sanctuary,
And send a surgeon to you. [Exit.] …
Marc. Oh, mother, now remember what I told
Of breaking of the crucifix! Farewell.
There are some sins, which heaven doth duly punish
In a whole family. This it is to rise
By all dishonest means! … . [Dies.]
Corn. Oh, my perpetual sorrow! ….
Enter Brachiano, all armed, save the beaver, with Flamineo and others
Brach. Was this your handiwork?
Flam. It was my misfortune. …
Inte
rtex
tual
ity
and
the
cont
ext
of r
ecep
tion
: T
he
Wh
ite
De
vil
– A
ct 5
sce
nes
1 an
d 2
Intertextuality and the context of reception: The White Devil - Act 5 scenes 1 and 2 by John Webster
Dr
© 2012 crossref-it.info
Page 9 of 9
Brach. Go, bear the body to Cornelia's lodging: …
Flamineo. … I will not grant your pardon.
Flam. No?
Brach. Only a lease of your life; and that shall last
But for one day: thou shalt be forc'd each evening
To renew it, or be hang'd.
Genesis 4: 8-16 8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to
pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his
brother, and slew him.
9And the LORD said unto Cain, ‘Where is Abel thy brother?’ And he said,
‘I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?’
10And he said, ‘What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood
crieth unto me from the ground. 11And now art thou cursed from the
earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from
thy hand; 12When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield
unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the
earth.’
13And Cain said unto the LORD, ‘My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and
from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in
the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall
slay me.’
15And the LORD said unto him, ‘Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain,
vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.’ And the LORD set a mark
upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
16And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in
the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Resource D - http://www.crossref-it.info/articles/479/The-White-Devil-~--
Act-5,-scene-2
Inte
rtex
tual
ity
and
the
cont
ext
of r
ecep
tion
: T
he
Wh
ite
De
vil
– A
ct 5
sce
nes
1 an
d 2