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The Role Of Sexism In Medieval Literature

1498 Words6 Pages

In our present generation, the idea of a separation between men and women really is not considered. We live in a culture where a person gets to choose sexual orientation, sexual preference, and even alter sex chromosomes. Due to of the advancement in our science, sociology, and psychology, sexism is arguably obsolete. I say all of that and an educated reader may be thinking “This girl is so wrong and has no clue what she is talking about because sexism does exist.” Well, it does, but not in the same way that it existed in medieval times. Medieval literature and outlets that interpret medieval literature depict sexism in a completely different, extremely radical way. Gerald of Wales’ The History and Topography of Ireland follows historian Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales) on his journey exploring Ireland and Whales. The travel journal consists of personal experiences during his time there accompanied by his outstanding observations …show more content…

The text is said to have almost ridiculed the Irish people in terms of their culture and lifestyle. The journal briefly discusses the male to female relationships along Gerald of Wales’ journey. Sexism in this particular travel narrative is displayed in a way such that women are viewed to be on the same level as animals and are viewed as filthy— having hair and dirty bodies. The text “A goat that had intercourse with a woman”, when “The wretched woman proving herself more a beast in accepting him than he did in acting, even submitted herself to his abuse” (Gerald 75) females are also associated with having intercourse with animals. But, the question is, exactly what kind of beast is Gerald referring to? One could argue that the partner practicing intercourse with females is exactly what the text says it to be, a beastly animal while there is also the possibility that Gerald was referring to the male society based on their disgusting views of

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