Comparing Margery Kempe And Elizabeth I's Letter To Sir Walter Raleigh

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The English attitudes towards gender are reflected in the literacy works of Margery Kempe and Elizabeth I’s letter to Sir Walter Raleigh. Within these two works, the women, especially, challenge the attitudes towards gender roles. First of all, women were expected to be domesticated, meaning all their duties lied within the home and the marriage. The women were responsible for taking care of the children/family and being obedient to their husband. For example, in Margery Kempe, “Then the said creature, his wife, was sent for, and so she came to him.” This occurred when Margery Kempe’s husband fell down the steps and severely hurt his head and back; she had to take care of him because he was her husband. Kempe did not want to, but did because Christ told her to along with her neighbors blaming her for …show more content…

For example, Elizabeth says, “Ah, silly Pug, wert thou so sore afraid? / Mourn not, my Wat, nor be thou so dismayed.” Elizabeth’s attitude towards Sir Walter is positive and affectionate. Kempe and Elizabeth compare within these examples because they are both in a position of power; furthermore, both women are in control of the situation at hand and handle it properly. Secondly, women were expected to act a certain way socially, such as remaining quiet and appropriate within a social setting. Again, Kempe and Elizabeth seemed to challenge this attitude by doing the opposite. Margery Kempe was seen as a hysterical woman because of her “visions” and gender ambiguity. An example of this would be when Kempe was at mass and when the priest was holding up the sacraments she had a “vision” with Christ speaking to her. Kempe went against all social codes along with the Church being displeased with her for her actions. Kempe would weep loudly whenever she saw the Christ story, young men, or babies, which drew a lot of attention from the

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