I find it hard to believe Hemans is actually giving agency to the Wife of Asdrubal in her poem of the same name. Throughout the entire work, the wife is described as either otherworldly or mad, either case seems to tell the audience that a normal woman is not capable of such actions or power. The wife enters in magnificent attire and appears "a being more than earthly… strange and fierce." She also "seems the avenging goddess of the scene." It goes on to say that she has a "daring spirit" that is "mightier than death" as well as describe her as wild several times. At the end of the poem, she laughs frantically and has a frenzied look in her eye. If that doesn't say instability, I don't know what does! The question here is whether this outpour of emotion serves women or not? Why did Hemans choose a story concerning a woman who some would recommend institutionalization to help fight for women's equality?
I agree with your observation. Women of power often are viewed in a negative light in both past and present works. The ideal woman is demure and subservient, without the agency and power of a man. A pretty easy example of how powerful women are seen as monsters or "not real women" is found in The Little Mermaid. Ursala the sea witch, while powerful, lacks the qualities that make her feminine: "you've got your looks, you're pretty face, but don't forget your voice." Sorry, had to start singing the Disney song. She has lots of masculine characteristics such as a large presence, short haircut, and booming voice, yet remains loveless and ultimately loses everything.
ReplyDeleteI think the frenzied and nearly insane character in "The Wife of Asdrubal" provides a commentary on the necessity of rash behavior in women to break out of social norms. In accordance with Romantic style, the poem is full of extremes. Perhaps since the oppression acting on the female figure is one of these extremes, she must act wildly to combat it. She must have a "daring spirit" to prove to the rest of the world that she is "untameable by fate" and, thus, not subject to the wrath of her husband.
ReplyDeleteI don't think she is presented as rash or crazy -- she is presented as being burned alive and having to kill her own children to spare them. This gives her some license to act in an emotional manner. She is intense, exciting, angry, and she does something about it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ivy in that she's not exactly crazy. She reminds me of a lioness protecting her cubs.
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