The recently widowed Duchess of Gloucester uses poignant imagery to describe the pervasive sense of sorrow in her household after the death of her husband, the Duke of Gloucester. Speaking with John of Gaunt, her brother in law, she states:
Alack, and what shall good old York there see
But empty lodgings and unfurnished walls,
Unpeopled offices, untrodden stones?
And what hear there for welcome but my groans?
Therefore commend me; let him not come there
To seek out sorrow that dwells everywhere.
She uses a series of images—empty rooms and offices, “unfurnished” or bare walls, stones that are not stepped on—to emphasize the somber and melancholy atmosphere of her home. Through these rich visual details, she paints a picture of a household overcome by mourning. She draws both from the sense of sight and the sense of sound, noting that guests to her home will be welcomed by her “groans” rather than warm introductions or cheerful conversation.
The imagery used by the Duchess of Gloucester underscores that she is in no fit position to entertain guests. While she implores John of Gaunt to convey her well wishes to their mutual relative, the Duke of York, she nonetheless aims to discourage visitors, feeling that the sorrowful atmosphere in her home would not be conducive to social visits. The Duchess also has a secondary motive: her gloomy imagery underscores the tragedy of her husband’s murder, and therefore strengthens her case for John of Gaunt to avenge him.
