In Webster's Jacobean revenge tragedy, The Duchess of Malfi, and Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, written in 1947, both men consider the themes of chastity and the effect of chastity on the reputation of the main female characters within society. Both are widowed, but Blanche is desperate to remarry after fleeing her reputation for promiscuity, while the Duchess is not ashamed of her sexuality and secretly marries a man below her social status, against the wishes of her brothers. . Blanche cares greatly about appearing pure, while the Duchess is more concerned with her own happiness and power. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Both plays were written during the time of a patriarchal society, so a woman's chastity was essential in determining society's view of her, which is what Williams and Webster study . Webster explores the value of chastity through the brothers' control over the Duchess, for example their attempt to arrange a marriage between her and Malateste. "Malateste" means "bad testicles", which combined with the mockery of his masculinity in Act 3, scene 3, e.g. "He carried gunpowder in his hollow tooth, // For the evil of teeth ". It can be believed that Ferdinand wanted the Duchess to marry a relatively weak man who could not control her, so that this position would be left to her; Alternatively, this, coupled with Ferdinand's allusions to incestuous feelings towards the Duchess, may suggest that he hopes that Malateste will not have sexual relations with the Duchess and that her chastity will remain as it is. Webster also demonstrates Ferdinand's resistance against the Duchess's sexuality in Act 1, Scene 1, when he responds with "Whores, according to this rule, are precious" to a progressive statement on female sexuality made by the Duchess . This shows how much Ferdinand values ​​the Duchess's chastity, as he shuns her for even considering the notion. Webster also shows the effect of the Duchess's lack of chastity on her fate in her death scene – just before she is strangled, the executioner says "Here is your wedding ring" as he shows her the noose. Webster essentially reveals that the Duchess's marriage is what will kill her: her marriage went against the wishes of her brothers, who wanted her to remain a widow, and her disobedience ultimately led to her death. This was potentially foreshadowed by Ferdinand threatening her with a dagger in Act 1, Scene 1 and Act 3, Scene 2, when her sexuality and marriage are discussed. Webster explores the societal value of chastity through the unhealthy desire of the Duchess's brothers (primarily Ferdinand) to control her. This can be disputed by critic Christopher Hart, who wrote that "the two brothers are driven not by a sense of possessive indignation, however distorted, but by a pleasure in wickedness itself, a 'malignity without cause,” even against their own flesh and blood. ", suggesting that the brothers were controlling for the sake of control, rather than for ulterior motives, although Ferdinand's actions refute this. Williams also explores the value society places on chastity through the characters' treatment men to Blanche after discovering her promiscuous past, shown by Stanley telling Stella that Mitch thought Blanche "had only ever been kissed by a man" in scene 7, shows the value of the. chastity, because Mitchexpected purity and chastity from Blanche, despite her past marriage. Mitch's shock eventually turns to rage and disgust, as in scene 9 he tells Blanche "you're not clean enough to bring my mother home." This suggests that Mitch doesn't really care about her past and reputation, but that she is no longer pure to him, which fuels his rage and his belief that he can use her for sexual purposes, such as shows his attempted rape of Blanche. This reflects the patriarchal society, which retained traditional values ​​placing women on a moral pedestal above men, resulting in double standards, requiring women to remain pure, while male promiscuity was accepted. Simone de Beauvoir's book "The Second Sex" explores the idea that women are second to men, which corresponds to the ideas and expectations of each gender in a patriarchal society. Williams has Stanley use derisive names for Blanche, such as "Sister Blanche", ironically comparing her to celibate nuns and saying that she is "not Lily". The lily metaphor evokes an image of purity, as white connotes virginity - which Blanche no longer has, but the lily's reproductive organ stains everything it touches, which mimics the way Blanche's sexuality has tarnished society's view of her, suggesting that she is like a lily. Finally, just as Webster suggests that the Duchess's marriage led to her death, Williams does the same through Blanche's journey to Stella and Stanley's apartment. She first takes the tram called "Desire", then the one called "Cemetaries", and gets off at "Elysian Fields". This physical journey is a metaphor for Blanche's demise, as her sexual desire led to her death and the Elysian Fields were the afterlife in Greek mythology. Both Williams and Webster explore the dangerous levels of value placed on chastity through their cautionary tales. Webster and Williams also consider the importance of a good reputation in society at the time both plays were written. Blanche's desperation to maintain a good reputation and hide her bad reputation for fear of being an outcast from society is evident in her avoidance of the light, which Williams used as a symbol of truth. Williams writes in the stage directions that when Mitch snatches the lantern from the light bulb in scene 9, Blanche "let out a frightened gasp." Her fear demonstrates the importance of reputation, as she is afraid of the consequences now that Mitch has literally been enlightened to the truth about his past and subsequent reputation. When Stanley tells Stella about Blanche's past, he says that "she's as famous in Laurel as if she were President of the United States, except she's not respected by any party!" Comparing Blanche's infamy to that of a politician, only Blanche lacks respect, suggesting that politicians are immune to disrespect, may be linked to Webster, as the Duchess's reputation culminates in withdrawal of his functions as pope. had heard of his “relaxation”. Webster also examines the effect of prominent reputation on male characters, not just sexual reputation - the Cardinal murders Julia because he "knew you could not follow my advice." Webster implies that he fears that Julia, by exposing him for his role in the murder of the Duchess, as well as his affair with a married woman, will damage his reputation as a man of the Church. In the Jacobean theater, corruption within the Catholic Church was a common feature, as it provided an easy target for the anticlericalism of Protestant England. This is redundant, because the brothers already have a bad.