Elizabethan Weddings and Marriages
“Just as today a woman’s wedding was one of the most important days of her life” (William Shakespeare info). During the Elizabethan Era, most marriages were arranged, and some couples would be introduced to each other on their wedding day itself! (William Shakespeare info) Many of times marriages were done so that both families could “benefit” in some way, such as status or wealth ( Linda Alchin). Even though there are some differences from then to now, weddings today have some of the same aspects as Elizabethan weddings did, because a wedding is still one of the biggest days of a person’s life. There were many customs, preparations, and important ceremonies done during these times, and some of them are still present today.
An immense part of an Elizabethan wedding was the different customs that were a part of it. First, a bride’s dress would not be white, which seems strange to us now (Andrea R. Britt). “A bride would wear her best gown regardless of color.” (Andrea R. Britt) The gown would be full length and made form materials like velvet, corduroy, or satin for the noble or wealthy, and flax, wool, or cotton for the general people (William Shakespeare info). The groom wore his best clothes as well. Typically the bridegroom wore a doublet, breeches, hose, a box pleated neck ruff, a cod piece, a cloak, and boots (Andrea R. Britt). Again velvet, corduroy, and satin were costly and therefore worn by the wealthy (William Shakespeare info). The common man’s garments were made from wool, cotton, and flax just like the common bride’s were (William Shakespeare info).The clothing ranged in color from red to orange, blue, even to tan (Andrea R. Britt). Generally invitations were not sent out (Maggi R...
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...s in the present day are a big part of the bride’s special day. They make sure she is prepped and ready to go even when the worst happens. That was true during the Elizabethan Era, too. Bridesmaids were important to the brides then to see that she everything she needed, exactly like today (Maggi Ros). Finally, a wedding was a joyous and extremely exciting day not only to the couple but their families, and the same goes for today (Elizabethan Marriages and Weddings Document).
As you can see weddings and marriages were very significant during the Elizabethan Era. However many years ago, various parts of the tradition are still in place. A wedding will always be a marvelous day in a person’s lifetime. The customs, preparations, and ceremony were all extremely important and still are today. The happiness of starting a lifetime with the person you love will never end.
Weddings were always a religious ceremony, conducted by a minister. The religions varied but the legal process prior to the wedding was always the same. There were no Registry Office marriages or marriages conducted by a Justice of the Peace. The first stage was Crying the Banns, announcing a couple's intention to marry. The same procedure still applies to Church marriages in England today. The Elizabethan Wedding custom dictated that the couple's intention to marry had to be announced in the church three times on three consecutive Sundays or Holy days. This allowed time for any objections to be raised or pre-contracts to be discovered. Any marriage not published beforehand was considered clandestine and illegal. Wedding invitations were not issued. People lived in small communities
The fact that Portia and Nerissa gave rings to Bassanio and Gratiano is mainly an indication of their wealth. The commitment could have been symbolized by any token given to the men, but using a ring also shows that they are wealthy. Elizabethans would know that the ring itself was of no consequence to the marriage, but rather what it stood for was important.
In act one scene three of Romeo and Juliet Lord Capulet states “…She hath not seen the change of fourteen years. Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.” This means that Juliet is not quite fourteen years old and her father is not sure if she is ready to become a wife and mother. There are many differences between how people marry today, and how they married in the time of Romeo and Juliet. Some of the differences are when the people marry, why people marry, and also the level of maturity people marry at. In conclusion in the fifteenth century people rushed their marriages more than
In the play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare there are two main plots in the story. The first is about Claudio and Hero and their relationship, the second is Beatrice and Benedick and their relationship both of these relationships end up in marriage. Shakespeare compares these relationships side by side and you can clearly see his opinion on marriage. He believes in love, but he doesn’t believe in the arranged marriage that is happening during the Elizabethan era of his writing.
So we can see that the whole process of love and marriage starts off in quite a different way to how would today. There is also the financial aspect to consider. This played an enormous part in choosing a partner. Shakespeare makes it clear that young men in his time were not so concerned with finding love, but instead were looking for wealth. "I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua."
“Love and Marriage.” Life in Elizabethan England. Elizabethan.org, 25 March 2008. Web. 3 March 2014.
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance period marriage and love were idealized, divine and celebrated. Weddings were large events that included the entire families of both the groom and the bride. Reality was different; women were viewed as being fickle, inferior to men and a possession of men. Women had very little, if any, choice in who they would marry. Marriages were arranged so that both families would benefit in gaining wealth or power. Even though the ruler of England for over 4 decades was female, women were still not respected. Women were kept at home and not allowed to take place in public events. In Shakespeare’s Richard III, male and female relationships are displayed as deeply cynical and are based on lies, lust and political gain.
Before the eighteenth century, marriage was far less complicated. Verbal consent and consumation constituted legal marriage: "once the knot was tied by such verbal exchanges it could not be undone: a valid marriage was technically indissoluble. Such vows could be made, moreover, by boys the age of fourteen and girls of twelve" (Outhwaite xiii).
Centuries ago in Elizabethan England there were many traditions about marriage and the treatment of women. One strong tradition of these times was the practice of marriage between races. Interracial marriages were considered extremely taboo. (High Beam). In this era marriages were arranged by the parents with strong help from the local church. The individuals had little choice as to who they would marry. (Elizabethan England Life). Yet another example of these traditions was the respectable treatment of women. While the husband was in charge of his wife, as was the father, the husband were expected to treat the women right (Elizbethi). In spurning all of these traditions, Shakespeare demonstrates a view of marriage far different from that of Elizabethan England, in doing this he is trying to plant new ideas in the people who read or view the play.
Although modern weddings have similar customs to Ancient Roman weddings, they were still different. While there are many differences, there are still similarities. The elements of a marriage in ancient Roman culture consisted of an engagement, choosing the date, the preparation of the bride, and the location of the wedding. While the much broader subjects are similar, the way it is performed is changed.
Clothing affected the lives of women greatly. Women wore many layers of clothing that could be hot and tight, making them uncomfortable. Different types of clothing were also used to make women seem more petite than they actually were (History of Fashion - Elizabethan). Many outfits included most of the following under layers: a smock, stockings, a corset, a farthingale, a rowel, a stomacher, a petticoat, a kirtle, a fore part, and a partlet. Then, most of the following over layers: a gown, separate sleeves, a ruff, a cloak, and shoes. Shoes were often a flat, Mary Jane style, or had a platform to keep one's feet dry. The biggest influence on woman's clothing during the Elizabethan Era was actually Queen Elizabeth I herself.
The short stories “Souls Belated” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” have in common ‘Marriage’ as main theme. However, the marriage is treated quite differently in both short stories. In "Souls Belated", Lydia chooses to take control of her destiny, to deviate from conventions and to choose what is good for her. She is the strongest character of the couple. Whereas, in "The Yellow Wallpaper", the name of the main character who is also the narrator of the story is not known. She is identified as being John’s wife. This woman, contrary to Lydia in "Souls Belated" is completely locked up in her marriage. This essay will first describe and compare the characters of Lydia and John's wife in the context of marriage, and then it will look at how marriage is described, treated and experienced by couples in these two short stories.
She should accept the right of Darcy to have some sense of pride toward his class and she has to learn to comply to social rules .therefore, it is not about marriage as much it is about learning to comply to rules. Elizabeth and Darcy will meet on common grounds. It is about finding moderation between nature represented by Elizabeth and art represented by Darcy. Only then the marriage would be successful.
According to the textbook, weddings often serve as an important event in a bride or groom’s
To give a little background on the play; the pursuit of marriage is the driving force behind the play. “I now pronounce you, man and wife.” This traditional saying, commonly used to announce a newlywed couple during a wedding ceremony, marks the happily ever after that many dream of today. In today’s society, marriage is an expression of love between two individuals. Marriage has not, however, always been an act of love. In the Victorian era, marriage was almost a chore. Most people married out of need rather than want. In the Play this is evident when Lady Bracknell objects to Gwendolen and Ernest’s engagement on the basis of his lack of legitimate background. On the other hand, Jack objects to the marriage of Cecily and Algernon’s