"Ears Prejudicate" in Mariam and Duchess of Malfi

This essay examines the impact of gender on the speaker-listener relationship in Elizabeth Cary's Tragedy of Mariam and John Webster's Duchess of Malfi. Several characters demonstrate "ears prejudicate," preferring to hear views sympathetic with their own. However, while Mariam and the duchess are condemned for their listening behavior, they have no power to censure men who fail to listen to them. Moreover, these women are condemned in sexual terms as their listening behavior is considered a sign of sexual licentiousness. It is suggested that Webster and Cary may have particular reasons for exploring the impact of prejudicial listening.