# Cariola — The Duchess of Malfi character guide

> Cariola in The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cariola Both, 106 Cariola

**First appearance:** 0002-the-duchess-of-malfi

## Snapshot

The Duchess's waiting-woman, hidden behind the arras at the secret marriage, sworn to a secret that will cost her more than she can guess.

## Who they are

Cariola serves as the Duchess's intimate attendant and the sole witness to her clandestine handfasting with Antonio, kneeling nearby as the vows are spoken. Her aside after the ceremony — unsure whether greatness or womanhood reigns in her mistress, and calling it a fearful madness — marks her as both devoted and clear-sighted. Bound by counsel and pity, she becomes the fragile keeper of a secret that the Duchess's brothers are already hunting.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duchess_of_malfi_se/characters/cariola
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duchess_of_malfi_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duchess_of_malfi_se/characters