Why does Bracciano propose to Vittoria (4.2)? He already has an heir, he's already "enjoyed" her, and she's just spent 20 lines castigating him for being a poor protector and, implcitly, a failure of a man. Is the answer as simple as that he loves her? Or might he somehow be "turned on" by this assertive woman (perhaps one of the reasons Isabella fails to capture his interest)? Might this attraction to assertive women shed some light on the anxiety surrounding the early modern man's relationship to women (as outlined by Dollimore, 235)?
My other question surrounds the fruit of connubial bliss, specifically Giovanni. His final speeches (5.6.292-302) suggest that he will show no mercy for his uncle who has avenged his mother's death by, unfortunately but inevitably, killing his father. If we agree that Giovanni's purpose in the play is to reestablish social norms, as others have suggested, what kind of state can we predict he'll run? And what are we supposed to make of Giovanni's youthful martial plan which includes ransoming his captives, paying his soldiers in wives and then pressing the women into service to make men join the army (2.1.110-136)? Is this a plot device, a sort of saccharine moment of child idolatry? Is this a delightful flight of fancy, that more experience in state affairs will soon beat out of him? Does it indicate a substantial lack of forethought that persists to the end of the play and beyond? In short, do we feel good about Giovanni taking over the reins of power?
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