The Duchess of Malfi is a macabre tragic play written by the English

dramatist John Webster. The play is considered to be Websters greatest

work with some remarkable characters and their individual traits.
Bosola is certainly a complex character painted in the paly. His full name
is Daniel Bosola , essentially a good man but he does not realize his own
goodness.

Shelling says , rhat Bosola is the most consummate character, in The

Duchess of Malfi. What Bosola says , in all sincerity, doesnt agree with
his deeds and this fact defies understanding. Often , he blurts out
philosophical truths and worldly wisdom, which doesn,t appear to
agree with his behavior. It appears he is an enigma, not only to the
readers and viewers of the play but himself too. Till his very end he
appears to have been struggling to find out his own identity.

Delio describes , how Bosola spent his student days at Paduta

university:

A fantastical scholar, like such who study to know how many knots
was in Hercles club , of what colour Achbeard was, or what Hector
were troubled with the toothache.

There is an undercurrent of dishonesty in him even at that time . for, he

conducted the queer reaches, not for the love of knowledge, but to
gain name of speculative man.

The first picture one gets of Bsosola is from Antonios description of

him. He tells DElio,

Here comes Bosola

The only court-galll; yet I observe his railing

Is not for simple love of piety:

Bosola talk with the Cardianl , justifies Antonio,s description of his

person. HE tells of the dubious service he has rendered to yhe ACrdianl,
which made him serve as a galley slave. Antonio later describes Bosolas
melancholiac disposition and its probable cause . he tells Bosssola , on
his afce, you would not seem to appear to the world

Puffd up with your preferment ,you continue

This out-of-fashion melancholy

There is no doubt that he is a brave solider. Antonio says,

I have heared

Hes very valiant

In discharging his duty, he appears very competent. Delio talks of the

rumour that he commited a murder at the instance of the Cardianl. He
is intelligent too. By carefully noticing the physologiacalchanges in the
Duchess, he suspects she is pregnant. Then through the apricot test,
he confirms the suspiction. When Antonio confines all the officers of
their rooms, Bosola sees some cunning init , and more cunningly he
violets the curfew, and though accidently,gets hold of the horoscopeof
the new born child.

On many occasions Bosola expresses his dep-rooted cynicism. His

advice to Castruccio on how to become a good courtier, illustrates his
dark view of life. He says with irony and sarcasm that a good trace, an
impressive night cap, knowledge or snapping the cap-bands, occasional
hums between speechs, and blowing of the nose , are the signs of a
good courtier. Further he should be a hypocritic : Bosola tells
Castruccio,

Whwn you come to be president in criminal causes,if you smile upon a

prisoner, hang him: but if you frown upon him and threaten him, let him
be sure to escape the gallows.

No doubt there is some goodness in Bosola. Antonio makes a comment

on it. Bosola himself talks of it in a self justifying way. There is some
evidence to show that Bosola is troubled by the conflict between
honour , and his professional duty. Once the Cardianl has gone out,
Bosola descries the Aragonian brothers as plum trees that grow
crookes over stagnant pools. However, all these flashes or regard for
the upright path, does not deviate him from the path of professional
efficiency in ruthlessness. When the Duke offers him gold at first he
refuses to accept.

The unwitting killing of Antonio, is, possibly, the only professional

mistake he commits. HE has decided earlier to help him., and if possible
to seek revenge in alliance with him. At the end oa ActIVhe says,

Ill post to MIllan

Where somewhat I will speedily enact

Worth my dejection.
 The fatalism expressed is only illusory. It only means the current of
life, the individual is asserting himself against wxternal events, but the
effort is futile. Bosola no longer accepts external authorities both moral
and social. He will not imitatethings glorious,. He will find values of life
in himself and act accordingly , wih a commitment to do what he
considers just. As he meets the Cardinal he says boldly.

I am come to kill tehe.

He wounds the Cardinal though , the final blow is given by the Duke.
Then Bossola gets an opportunity to accomplish his last mission
withthewords

Now my revenge is perfect,-Sink though main cause.