English Literature



English Literature

Introduction

In their works, Milton and William have exposed the real reason behind the negative mindset of the people from renaissance regarding marriage and women. The period of Renaissance considered women just for the sake of marrying and for the sake of bearing a child. In these limited conditions for women, the most women could do was to marry a man of their choice. After marriage women were seen as prized assets acquired, and the beautiful ones were often showed to everyone for reasons of show off. The characters, whose personalities are in question, are that of Eve and Lady Macbeth. These two ladies, instigate their husbands to be disloyal to their superior authority and betray them for personal ambitions. This highlights why in the period of renaissance women were not given prestige at all.

Discussion

Milton's View

Many theologies of that existing in the renaissance period were linked to the story of Adam and Eve. The story highlighted that it was Eve who instigated and tempted Adam to eat the fruit from the Tree of knowledge. This was an act which they were prohibited and told not to do by God. This was how Eve made Adam carry on with sin, and betray the trust of God. This was the reason why women were considered untrustworthy by men and were given so little responsibilities. “Shee as a veil down to the slender waist,Her unadorned golden tresses wore Dishevell'd, but in wanton ringlets wav'd” (Milton, 1993, pp.295-311). This highlights Milton's thoughts of how women are inferior to men, which was common in his time of the renaissance. Acording to him women are just made to serve their husbands.

Shakespeare' View

Shakespeare viewed women as a source of destruction and deviation from what they are supposed to do. In his novel, Macbeth was not sure ...