Utopian Women

The women living during the Early Modern period experienced a rather hostile environment, as they were considered man’s unreliable counterpart. Writers of this era often reflected these views throughout their works. Pierre Beaumarchais’ Marriage of Figaro depicted the characters Suzanne and Countess of Almaviva in a similar light. However, Thomas More’s Utopia and Tomasso Campanella’s The City of the Sun strayed from this historical perception of women. The fictitious works of Beaumarchais, Campanella, and More propose alternative political and social reforms embodied within the society of the narrative. After taking into account the role of women in the societies of Utopia and City of the Sun, as well as their ideas about love and family,

While marital unions in More’s Utopia are not forcefully arranged by class or social standing as many in the Early Modern period, they were not based on feelings or true love or passion either. They stressed the concept that choice and great consideration were important in matters concerning marriage. “All men are not so wise as to choose a woman for only her good qualities” (More 58). This caution is seen in their tradition of the bride and groom presenting their naked bodies to one another before the wedding. This idea ensured that both spouses knew exactly what they were getting into. Utopians were especially mindful of choosing their spouse because divorce was unusual and had to be approved by the state. The deliberation shown by couples within Utopia would provide Suzanne and the Countess say in their marriage, similar to this aspect of life in their original work. The Barber of Seville and Marriage of Figaro allows the women to have an opinion on their marriage, as the Rosaline (the Countess) consents to her marriage with the Count and Figaro and Suzanne are both willing parties in their own

On “Their manner of living in society: the oldest man of every family is its governor; wives serve their husbands” (More 39). The family could be described as a “little commonwealth”. The ruler or father tie together the family or kingdom. A ruler does for his subjects as a father does for his children- provides safety, shelter, economic stability, and disciplines. The subjects- mother and children- were expected to show loyalty, love, and respect. An abnormal family structure would be one in which a powerful woman had influence over her hen-pecked and feeble husband. These attitudes reflected the aversion to a dominant woman, which would be a shortcoming to Suzanne and The Countess. Their trick on the Count would be frowned upon in Utopia because it suggests that the women are trying to defy gender roles and the patriarchal society that gave men all the