Gender Roles

Question 1

What were the main roles of women? (conventions)

Answer 1

• Had to be subservient to men (specifically husbands and male relatives)
• Supposed to be: timid, mild, harmless, content, maintain reputation, quiet, chaste, pious
• Expected to be mothers and wives

Question 2

What were the main ideas surrounding female hysteria?

Answer 2

• Diagnosis given to women who have personalities or attitudes outside of societal norms
• Primarily affected upper class women (like Ophelia)
• Signified by symptoms of madness or illness