Women

Marriage

Female monarch yet Elizabethan England was a patriarchal society(Patriarchy is a social system
in which males hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral
authority, social privilege and control of property).

Women second class citizens

Couldn’t not marry someone her father did not approve of

Conduct manuals instruct women how to behave at home, in public and towards their loved ones

To listen and not speak in public and if she were asked to she had to speak “the best of her head”

Noblewoman were rarely seen in public as they would only be allowed with an escort who is ment to
protect their chastity and therefore the family name

It was common in England and Italy to compare women to vessels

Women belonged to husband and children to father

Chastity, silence and obedience were the 3 principles of womanhood

Virgin until marriage

Loyal and faithful wife

Consent -7

Consummate -12

Boy – 14

Avg. age 25 and 27

Venice – patriarchal society

Jessica and Lorenzo Jew and Christian –no!…. Has to renounce father and religion.

Instead of dowry she steals her father’s wealth

Portia: O me, the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose whom I would, nor refuse whom I dislike; so
is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.

Women form aristocratic households were unable to choose their partners

Jessica: Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed, I have a father, you a daughter lost

Salerio:Should I go to church And see the holy edifice of stone. And not bethink me straight of
dangerous rocks, Which touching not my gentle vessel’s side Would scatter all her spices on the
stream...
Women’s body = property

High dowry

2 options – live with wealthier family or send them to convents