Gender, Order, Chaos, and All That Jazz

Hello Bloggers,

I would like to pose a few questions for your consideration. In his play, John Webster creates a picture of a fallen, chaotic world. According to his views, what should be the proper role of women in society? How have women fallen short? What is the inherent weakness that causes women to stumble? In which ways are the sins of men different from the evils caused by women? Do Webster's views of gender and sexuality reinforce or resist Jacobean notions of order and "the Great Chain of Being"? Do you feel that his views contain any paradoxes? If so, what are they and what do they say about the shifting face of Jacobean society?

See you in class,

Aimee Bechan