Literary magazine

Camillo actually lay with Bra-

epistrophe,

“what

are

ence more aware of the rot-

chiano and Flamineo, “I am

whores?” reinforces the gen-

ten political world that she

at the mark, sir, I’ll give aim

eral impression of violent mi-

lives in, which would have

to you, And tell you how

sogyny and sinister lechery

led to uncomfortable com-

near you shoot.” Introducing

conveyed by this speech.

parisons with the English

such military imagery also

The irony that a cardinal

court at the time. In a way

reminds the audience of

should be so well instructed

which would have delighted

the fact that this trial will be

of these practices is rein-

the mostly Protestant crowd,

decided by power not jus-

forced as Monticelso had

she offers insightful criti-

tice. Our understanding of

just charged Vittoria with

cisms of the power Monticel-

events is complicated by

“your trade instructs your

so wields in the courtroom,

knowledge that Vittoria is

language” and this would not

“my honourable lord it doth

playing the role of the inno-

have been lost on the audi-

not suit a reverend cardinal

cent to some degree when

ence. Monticelso loses

to play a lawyer thus,” draw-

considering the implications

much of his dignity here.

ing attention to both the ille-

of the dream she has re-

This is commented on by the

gitimacy of the trial and the

counted to Brachiano, but

English ambassador, an im-

dangerous conflation of

the audience’s sympathies

partial witness, who is clear-

church and state in Rome.

are firmly with her at this

ly meant to help direct the

Further drawing attention to

point and this filters how

sentiments the audience.

Monticelso’s power as a car-

they see the rest of the trial.

The effect is to create a di-

dinal, she comments “O poor

chotomy between the witty

Charity! Thou art seldom

Her next intelligent move is

figure of the Vittoria and the

found in scarlet,” this con-

to goad Monticelso into a

enraged

and

vindictive

trasts his political power with

highly

damaging

tirade

churchman, furthering the

what the church was origi-

about whores which seems

crowd’s support for her. By

nally intended to be: a hum-

to suggest an unhealthy

winning the support of the

ble and charitable religion.

fascination

and

crowd Vittoria’s wit becomes

Contextually, this might have

knowledge

of

effective in creating pathos

resonated with an audience

prostitution:

when she is eventually con-

as the Stuarts were great

“Shall I expound

demned, and support for her

believers in ecclesiasticism

whore to you?

plight as a woman as she is

while more radical forms of

Sure I shall:

manipulated by sinister mas-

Protestantism such as Puri-

I’ll

give

culine forces beyond her

tanism disliked this idea of

their per-

control. Vittoria’s words also

hierarchy within the church.

fect char-

have a deeper significance

acter.” The

in helping to make the audi-

17