Gender

Question 1

Women’s rights and men’s expectation

Answer 1

Women belonged to their fathers and then to their husbands
Women could not own property
Rich women for wealth instead of love - it was transactional
Medical theories of the Renaissance suggest that men are “excessively hot-blooded and passionate” but social constraints demanded that he be reasonable in his actions

• Gender - moment 1: Ferdinand hearing the duchess talk about her children

Question 2

What happened to the real duchess of malfi?

Answer 2

The Duchess of Malfiis based on the true story of Giovanna d’Aragona and her brothers
Giovanna ruled as Duchess and at some point secretly marriedAntonioBologna, the master of her household
In 1513, Duchess and her two youngest children were probably murdered in Malfi, and soon afterwards, Antonio was killed in Milan. Their oldest child survived. There is no historical evidence that the Duchess’s brothers were involved in these killings, but there is evidence the Duchess had long feared their retribution

• Gender: Moment 3 - Duchess’ death

Question 3

Fallen women and angel in the house

Answer 3

Women were seen an needing men to keep them on the right path
Women who had sex outside of marrige were regarded as fallen women
Angel in the house was a poem that potrayed the ideal victorian woman

• Gender - Moment 2: Goblin market