Imagery: Webster uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the play's world, emotions, and themes.
* Visual: "His soul is as white as a sheet of paper" (Act 4, Scene 2) - depicts Bosola's fear.
* Auditory: "I hear a knocking at the gate; and she is coming" (Act 4, Scene 2) - builds suspense and foreshadows the Duchess's death.
* Tactile: "O, that I could but feel thy heart, my brother, to know if thou art a man, and not a monster!" (Act 4, Scene 2) - expresses the Duchess's desperation.
Metaphor and Simile: Webster uses these figures of speech to draw comparisons and highlight deeper meanings:
* Metaphor: "The world's a vast and dangerous sea" (Act 1, Scene 1) - reflects the play's themes of power, betrayal, and the fragility of life.
* Simile: "The soul's a kind of palace, and the body's the room where it resides" (Act 4, Scene 2) - illustrates the relationship between the Duchess's inner and outer world.
Symbolism: Certain objects and actions hold symbolic significance:
* The Duchess's ring: Represents her love, her defiance, and her ultimate downfall.
* The masks: Signify deception, disguise, and the play's exploration of identity.
* The birds: Represent freedom, innocence, and the Duchess's growing awareness of her danger.
Irony: Webster uses irony to create dramatic tension and underscore the tragic consequences of the characters' actions.
* Dramatic Irony: The audience knows the Duchess is in danger, while she remains unaware.
* Situational Irony: The Duchess's brothers, who seek to control her life, ultimately lead to her destruction.
* Verbal Irony: Characters often say the opposite of what they mean, highlighting their duplicity and hidden motives.
Other Notable Devices:
* Apostrophe: Addressing absent or inanimate objects to heighten emotion.
* Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects to create vivid descriptions.
* Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds for emphasis.
* Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds for a musical effect.
* Rhyme and Rhythm: While not a dominant feature, Webster uses these devices strategically for emphasis and to enhance certain moments.
These poetic devices work together to create a powerful and evocative theatrical experience, highlighting the play's themes of love, power, and the fragility of human existence.