The Ballad of The Two Faithful Friends

An interesting echo that occurs in the play is between Ferdinand and the Duchess and the Duchess' mentioning of the ballad of Alexander and Lodwick. Alexander and Lodwick (according to our text's footnotes) were so alike that they couldn't be told apart. Lodwick married the Princess of Hungaria as Alexander and placed an unsheathed sword between them each night as a mark of his unwillingness to betray his friend. The Duchess mentions this story to Antonio after their secret marriage in Act 1 scene 1 to appease some of his fears about her brothers. She describes putting a similar sword between herself and Antonio in bed. The Duchess seems to realize that Ferdinand (her twin)will see this secret marriage as an issue, her chastity already in question since she must put "a naked sword" between them. While this seems like a sweet gesture towards Antonio's fears, it also echoes the split that will come between them. The sword could represent Ferdinand, who will cut them both while they sleep. The sword could also represent the Duchess and Antonio being separated by force. The Duchess' mentioning of the Ballad "The Two Faithful Friends" seems to foreshadow the events of her betrayal. What and odd ballad to mention at so tender a moment.