In The Duchess of Malfi, the role Bosola plays for Ferdinand could be seen as theatrical in at least two ways: as a spy planted in the Duchesss household, he figures both as an actor and audience.

In The Duchess of Malfi, the role Bosola plays for Ferdinand could be seen as theatrical in at least two ways: as a spy planted in the Duchesss household, he figures both as an actor and audience. Insofar as this implies a (dark) comment on the motives and practices of theatre performers and their audiences, what is Webster suggesting about his own business as a dramatist?