The White Devil

by

John Webster

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The White Devil: Act 5, Scene 5 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Lodovico asks Francisco to leave Padua to spare himself any shame from the bloody events that are about to occur. Francisco agrees, promising to redeem Lodovico’s reputation (“[I] shall in the ashes keep alive thy name”). Hortensio, Flamineo’s friend, overhears some of this, and he decides to inform those in town of what he has just witnessed.
In contrast to Brachiano, Lodovico has repented and tried (to some extent) to reform. Unlike the fallen duke, “forgotten before the funeral sermon,” Lodovico will remain “alive” in the memories of others. On a structural note, Webster once again does not know what to do with Hortensio, who overhears key gossip but never reports it to Flamineo
Themes
Leading by Example vs. Leading by Force Theme Icon
Punishment and Repentance  Theme Icon