female empowerment VS Mysogyny Flashcards
mention of mysogynistic writers theofrastus who was antiwomen and marriage and said only marry for last resort
but chaucer as a proto feminist voice coming through the merchant “deffie theofrastus, herk me.”
She seith nat ones “nay,” whan he seith “ye.”
“Do this,” seith he; “Al redy, sire,” seith she.
- fantasy of marriage for men
for the duchess her brothers wishes are for her to not marry because she ‘already knows what a man is” and her husbands is to be “figure cut in alabaster which kneels at my husbands tomb” - doesn’t want to be submissive
ferdinand to sister - “you are a widow you already know what a man is”
contrasts with antonio “ twere strange if there were no will in you to marry again”
but duchess knows her worth
- “ diamonds are of most value, when they have passed through most jewellers hands”
Januarie has similar idea that its a bad thing - “ but bene-straw and greet forage”\
- may doesn’t get a voice yet so she cant refute or support
female eloquence used to defy mysogony - “ will you hear me? ill never marry”
same as May when Januarie is confessing his love
and may says “ i am a gentil womman and no wench”
women using men as a stepping stone -“ if all my royal kindred lay in my way unto this marriage… i’d make them my low footsteps”
similar to may asking if “my foot might sette upon your back” implying that she is pregnant to get what she wants she is stepping all over him
duchess is in a position to propose first - “ the misery of us that are born great ! we are forced to woo because none dare woo us”
but may is of ‘smal degre can not make that decision is not free which is why she has to take exploitation from januarie . “And of my wyfhod thilke tendre flour, Which that I have assured in youre hond,”
” i entered you into my heart before you would vouchsafe to call for the keys” - duchess is aware that she has the luxury of letting other men into her heart
ferdinand doesnt have key he has to make one “ you had got the false key into her bedchamber”
may has to make her own keys and defenitely did not allow januarie into her heart she has no choice as she is of ‘small degree’ not ‘i am the duchess of malfi still”
female eloquence - defending herself duchess when hearing scandalous news when caught “touch mine honour’
may says “i have a soule to keep and also myn honour”
Duchess is in control and powerful “ when i wax grey i shall have all the court powder their hair with orris, to be like me”
may lacks control “he kisseth her” “he lulleth her”
‘do this seith he already sire saith she” he overpowers she unlike mutual love of antonio and duchess
female eloquence - duchess keeps her diginity gifted with Sophrosyne (verbal self control) “for know, whether i am doomed to live or to die , i can do both like a prince”
“ye maze, ye maze good sire” “this thanks have i for i have made you see”
- may is not dignified but her position and what has happened to her make it ok (fabliuax justice)
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female empowerment encouragement from others - Antonio “ this hath a handle to’t as well as a point; turn it towards him” - telling her to overcome her circumstances
- The Duchess and Cariola have a close relationship even though they’re from different classes. “I lie with her often, and i know she’ll much disquite you”. Intimate relationship that goes beyond just working for the duchess.
prosepina like antonio gives may ability to talk “her answere she shall have, i undertake”
- May and Proserpina’s relationship although not similar to the Duchess and Cariola is one that depicts homophrosyne since proserpina gives her the skills to shamelessly defend herself and get away with it. (“Hir answere shal she have, I undertake.”)
duchess respects her body and doesnt talk lightly of death - wants it to be protected by women - “my body bestow upon my women will you?” - powerful enough for bosola to listen
“strepe me and put me in a sak and in the next river have me drench”
women telling lies - “i am quick with child”- cariola not even known to have a husband
may also says “womman in her plight” has cravings to get to damian in the tree
men wanting to confine women-
the Duchess is expected to be like ‘the figure cut in alabaster’ which kneels at her Husband’s tomb now that she is a widow.he Duchess is expected to be like ‘the figure cut in alabaster’ which kneels at her Husband’s tomb now that she is a widow.
wom
Similar to May who is described to be as ‘stille as stoone’ and who is told by January that once he dies he doesn’t want her to remarry ‘but evere live as widwe in clothes blake’
January who is ‘on his pittes brink’ doesn’t want ‘no womman thirtty yeer of age’ because he believes that they ‘konne so muchel craft’ and that a ‘yong thing’ would be easier to mould like ‘warm wex.
Bosola tells the old lady about ‘a lady in france’ who ‘looked like a nutmeg-grater, after she resembled an abortive hedgehog’ .
