The Gendered Role of the "Chaste Maid" in Thomas Middleton's " A Chaste Maid in Cheapside"

Term Paper , 2016 , 15 Pages , Grade: 1,0

English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

The city comedy "A Chaste Maid in Cheapside" was written by Thomas Middleton in 1613 and published in quarto in 1630. It is situated in Cheapside, the main market square in London then. The story consists of several plots that develop around the constituent families and cross in the course of the play.

In this work, I explore a part of Renaissance London. With the help of Thomas Middleton’s play "A Chaste Maid in Cheapside", published in 1630, I investigate the gender role of the main character Moll, who is also the “chaste maid”. I draw attention to the questions: How is “the chaste maid” represented? What is her role within the social systems of family, lover and arranged marriage partner? How is Moll an example for women’s positions between gender and social roles within society? I argue that Moll’s role shows a clear example of how women were treated unequally and how they had less rights than men. When analyzing the woman’s role within society, I consult secondary sources that examine the image of women and gender during that time so that the satire of the play can be understood accordingly.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Introducing City Comedy

The Gendered Role of Middleton's "Chaste Maid" As a Microcosm of Society

The Role within Her Family

The Role in the Relationship with Her Lover

The Role in the Relationship with Her Arranged Marriage Partner

Conclusion

Works Cited

• College: University of Paderborn (Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik)
• Course: "What is the City but the People?" - Exploring Renaissance London
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Delia Ostach (Author)
• Publication Year: 2016
• Pages: 15
• Catalog Number: V388610
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668625570
• ISBN (Book): 9783668625587
• Language: English
• Tags: London, Cultural Studies, City Comedy, English Renaissance, Jacobean Age, Family Relations