Domestical Duties

• English
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Domestical Duties

What do you think the term 'domestical duties' mean and entail?

To explore:

-What were the typical gender roles in Shakespeare's time and how did they influence household dynamics and women's lives?

-What are the similarities and differences between gender roles in the past and the present?

"Of Domestical Duties"

Of Domestical Duties (1622) was written by the Church of England clergyman William Gouge. It was a popular and widely read conduct book providing advice and rules for family life.

Significance:

Therefore shaping the understanding of household roles and expectations during that time.

What is the Scripture?

The work is divided into eight treatises, starting with the examination of Bible passages that give authority to his ideas of domestic duty, followed by a consideration of marriage and the mutual duties between husband and wife, and six further treatises on the specific duties of wives, husbands, children, parents, servants and masters.

Read the text in pairs/groups and underline or highlight key points related to household roles, and expectations.

Annotate the text and answer these questions

a. What are some of the key duties and expectations mentioned in the text?

b. How are the roles of men and women portrayed in terms of their domestic duties?

c. How does the text emphasize hierarchy and order within the household?

d. Are there any aspects of domestic duties mentioned in the text that surprise or challenge your understanding of household roles?

e. Positives?

get key words from the text:

c: superior- hierarchy

obedience- free will, no right to stand up for themselves

deep respect= controlling emotions

b: Men: lots of demands, not only actions but feelings as well

Women: meek, obedient, in admiration of their husband

patriarchal society, man leaders and women their inferiors

Use of language: differences

can't own, buy or sell property

belongs in the house 

ruled by emotions, has to be taken care of 

can't be witness or guardian

add: Gouge’s work embraces patriarchy, placing the husband at the head of the household. He says a wife should show ‘obedience’ to her husband’s authority and ‘come when he calls’ her. She should refrain from ‘ambition’ and abandon any idea that ‘wives are their husbands equals’. This was not an unusual view for the time, although Gouge did note that when he preached on female subservience in church he often observed discontented murmurings from the women in his congregation.
At the same time, Gouge emphasises the need for ‘fellowship’ between married men and women. A husband should be ruled by ‘wisdome and love’ and avoid ‘too much strictnesse’. +notes in lesson up

How did key duties and expectations evolve (or not) over time? (hierarchy, attitudes, conduct)

Brainstorm in your group for a minute and post your ideas on the next slide.

Not suggesting that there are only two genders but in today's lesson we are dealing with gender roles in the traditional sense of it and not with gender identity.

differences, similarities ?

Men/Women/Both or Equal

A lot has changed, improved but think again.

www.genderequalitylaw.org

Write a paragraph

Reflect on the similarities and differences between notions and mentality about gender roles in 16-17th century and those in contemporary society.