The Intricacies of Victorian Courtship and Marriage

by | Jan 30, 2024 | literature

Our focus text for Instructional Cycle 3 is The Importance of Being Earnest, a drama written by author Oscar Wilde. Throughout the novel, relationships and marriage are satirized as Wilde comments on the frivolity of Victorian society. This is an important concept to understand, as marriage and families are found in all societies; however, the practice of marriage and finding a marriage partner vary significantly from culture to culture, or time period to time period. In many cultures and time periods, the relationship before marriage, who one can marry, and how they can marry depends entirely on the social standing or the family of either party. To understand this difference, you will compose a research paper looking at the courting (or dating) and marriage customs of a time period OR culture of your choosing.

PROMPT OPTION #1: Research dating and marriage traditions in a culture different from your own. What makes these customs unique to that specific culture?

Examples of cultures- Indian, African, Japanese, Native American, etc.
PROMPT OPTION #2: Research dating and marriage traditions in a time period different from your own. What makes these customs unique to that specific time period?

Examples of time periods- Victorian era, Renaissance, etc.
Dating Ritual Examples:

Gender roles in dating (based upon culture and/or time period)
Rules of courtship
Possible time frame between dating to marriage?
What does a “date” look like in a specific culture or time period?
Marriage Ritual Examples:

Engagement customs (rings, blessings, etc.)
Wedding ceremony
Wedding attire
Reception

 

 

 

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

The Intricacies of Victorian Courtship and Marriage

Introduction

The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, was a time of significant cultural and societal changes. One of the aspects that underwent transformation during this period was the dating and marriage customs. In this research paper, we will explore the unique customs and traditions surrounding courtship and marriage in the Victorian era. By examining gender roles in dating, rules of courtship, the time frame between dating and marriage, and the rituals of engagement, wedding ceremonies, attire, and receptions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of Victorian relationships.

Gender Roles in Dating

In Victorian society, strict gender roles dictated dating behaviors. Men were expected to take the initiative in courtship, pursuing women they found interesting or attractive. Women, on the other hand, were encouraged to be passive and demure, waiting for suitors to express their interest. This power imbalance meant that men had more control over the dating process, deciding whom to court and how to proceed.

Rules of Courtship

Victorians adhered to a set of rules and etiquette when it came to courtship. These rules aimed to maintain propriety and ensure that relationships progressed cautiously. Chaperones were commonly present during dates to prevent any hint of impropriety. Physical contact between unmarried couples was strictly limited, with holding hands being the most acceptable form of affection. Communication was primarily through writing letters, allowing couples to express their thoughts and feelings while maintaining a level of formality.

Time Frame between Dating and Marriage

Unlike modern dating practices where relationships can span for months or even years before marriage, the Victorian era had a much shorter time frame between dating and marriage. Once a couple became engaged, the wedding would typically take place within six months to a year. This expedited timeline reinforced the seriousness of courtship and the intention to marry.

Engagement Customs

Engagements in the Victorian era were marked by specific customs. The exchange of engagement rings became popular during this time, symbolizing a formal commitment between the couple. The bride-to-be would often receive a ring, while the groom might receive a pocket watch or another token of affection. Blessings from both families were sought to solidify the engagement, and public announcements were made in newspapers or through formal social gatherings.

Wedding Ceremonies

Victorian weddings were elaborate affairs filled with tradition and symbolism. The ceremony took place in a church and was presided over by a clergy member. The bride wore a white dress, symbolizing purity and innocence, while the groom dressed in a formal suit. Wedding vows were exchanged, and religious rituals were performed to sanctify the union. After the ceremony, the couple was showered with rice or confetti as they made their way outside.

Wedding Attire

The attire worn by the bride and groom during Victorian weddings reflected their social status and aspirations. Wealthy brides wore elaborate gowns made of luxurious fabrics adorned with intricate lace and embroidery. Accessories such as veils, gloves, and tiaras completed the ensemble. Grooms donned tailored suits or military uniforms, showcasing their status and achievements.

Reception

Following the wedding ceremony, a reception was held to celebrate the newlywed couple. This gathering provided an opportunity for family and friends to offer their congratulations and blessings. A formal dinner or luncheon was often served, accompanied by speeches and toasts to honor the couple. Music, dancing, and games added to the festive atmosphere.

Conclusion

The customs surrounding dating and marriage in the Victorian era reflect the societal norms and values of that time. Strict gender roles, rules of courtship, expedited timelines between dating and marriage, engagement rituals, elaborate wedding ceremonies, attire reflecting social status, and festive receptions all contribute to our understanding of Victorian relationships. By examining these customs, we can gain insights into how society perceived love, commitment, and social expectations during this fascinating period in history.

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