Portrayal of Women in Early Modern Literature

The portrayal of women in Early Modern Literature is a complex tapestry woven from threads of admiration, disdain, and fear. The literary works of this era reflect the societal norms and attitudes of a patriarchal society, revealing a wide spectrum of views on femininity. While some texts celebrate the virtues of women, others depict them in a manner that is deeply rooted in misogyny. This essay explores the multifaceted representation of women in notable works, analyzing how these portrayals reflect broader societal anxieties and attitudes.

Chivalric Ideals vs. Misogynistic Themes

In the English Renaissance, the literature produced often oscillates between chivalric ideals and the demonization of women. Works like Walter Raleigh's tribute to Queen Elizabeth I and John Donne's romantic poetry showcase a reverence for women, casting them in roles that embody virtue, beauty, and loyalty. However, a significant portion of literature from this period reveals troubling attitudes towards women, depicting them as embodiments of sin and corruption.

For instance, Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene presents female characters who are often monstrous and associated with evil. Similarly, Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus and John Milton's Paradise Lost reinforce these negative stereotypes, portraying women as sources of temptation and moral decay. The duality of these portrayals reflects a society grappling with its perception of women's roles and their influence on morality.

Literary Analysis of Female Monsters

In The Faerie Queene, Spenser introduces readers to the dragon Errours, a creature that is described as having both serpentine and female characteristics. Errours embodies filth and corruption, depicted as “Halfe ...a serpent... halfe... womans shape... lothsom, filthie, foule, and full of vile disdaine” (Spenser 1.1.14). This characterization not only associates femininity with monstrosity but also reinforces the idea that women are inherently linked to sin.

Similarly, the unveiling of Duessa reveals her true, grotesque form as “a loathly, wrinckled hag” (1.8.47). Spenser's vivid descriptions serve to dehumanize female characters, presenting them as perverse and undesirable. The transformation from beautiful to monstrous mirrors societal fears surrounding women's sexuality and power.

In Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, the character of Lechery is the only one of the Seven Deadly Sins depicted as female. Her introduction highlights the association between femininity and lust, reinforcing the stereotype of women as temptresses. Faustus's reaction to the devil disguised as a woman reveals his disdain and fear of female sexuality, illustrating the tension between desire and repulsion.

Milton's Paradise Lost further explores these themes through the character of Sin, who is portrayed as a monstrous being born from the act of incest between Lucifer and his daughter. This representation underscores the idea that women are not only sources of temptation but also bearers of evil. The intertwining of female identity with sin and monstrosity in these texts raises critical questions about the societal perception of women during the Early Modern period.

Societal Context and Implications

Understanding the portrayal of women in Early Modern literature requires examining the societal context in which these works were produced. The fear of women’s power, particularly in relation to witchcraft, played a significant role in shaping these narratives. As Page Ann Du Bois notes, “Fear of women's power increased in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries” (Du Bois 44). This fear manifested in literature, where women were often depicted as dangerous beings capable of subverting the natural order.

Moreover, the political landscape of the time, marked by events such as Henry VIII's notorious treatment of his wives, contributed to a culture that viewed women as disposable. The reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a powerful female figure, created tension regarding gender roles and authority, prompting anxieties about male dominance in a changing world.

Comparative Analysis of Female Portrayals

Conclusion

The portrayal of women in Early Modern literature is a reflection of the societal attitudes of the time, revealing a complex interplay between reverence and disdain. While some works celebrate women as virtuous figures, many others depict them as monstrous beings tied to sin and temptation. These representations not only reinforce negative stereotypes but also highlight the anxieties surrounding women's roles in a patriarchal society. The literary legacy of this period has lasting implications, shaping perceptions of femininity that continue to resonate today.

Works Cited

Du Bois, Page Ann. “'The Devil's Gateway': Women's Bodies and the Earthly Paradise.” Women's Studies 7.3 (1980): 43. Historical Abstracts. Web. 4 Mar. 2013.

Marlowe, Christopher. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. The Norton Anthology: English Literature: The Sixteenth Century/ The Early Seventeenth Century. 9th ed. Vol. B. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: Norton, 2012. 777-984. Print.

Milton, John. Paradise Lost. The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. The Norton Anthology: English Literature: The Sixteenth Century/ The Early Seventeenth Century. 9th ed. Vol. B. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: Norton, 2012. 1128-1165. Print.

Spenser, Edmund. The Faerie Queene. The Norton Anthology: English Literature: The Sixteenth Century/ The Early Seventeenth Century. 9th ed. Vol. B. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: Norton, 2012. 1945-2175. Print.