Elizabeth Tollet's Hypatia touches on several controversial gender-related issues. Although the poem was published in 1724, much of its content is still very relevant today not only to young women, but to all people. .
In lines 31-40 Tollet speaks of the tragedy of lost "wit" due to neglect. By "wit" Tollet means intellect, or the potential for intellectual thought. During Tollet's time, women were mostly regarded as ornaments to their men. They were condemned to a life of servitude to their husbands. Although she refuses to believe that women are not competent of abstract thought and relevant intellectual speculation, she does however recognize that if women continue to let this potential go unused they are domed to be robbed of it altogether. However, if not this path, then there is only one other way to go: When thought is left to ferment in the mind of a human, and for ages this person is only able to entertain this thought, and constantly mull over it, but never actually act on it, this thought is bound to become saturated in over-analysis.
Wit unemployed become a dang"rous thing,.
As waters stagnate and defile their spring.
The cultivated mind, a fertile soil,.
With rich increase rewards the useful toil:.
But fallow left, an hateful crop succeeds.
Of tangling brambles and pernicious weeds;.
"Tis endless labour then the ground to clear, .
And trust the doubtful earnest of the year. (31-38).
In lines 35-38 of this passage Tollet describes the ramifications of this "unemployed wit,"- the compounding of ignorance through generations of stagnant intellectual activity. If women continue to allow this stereotype to define them, they will never be able to dig themselves out of the hole they have co-created. After all these untruths and misinterpreted ideas of women's mental complexities have settles in, i.e. after "the tangling of brambles and pernicious weeds," it will be difficult to clear the name after so much damage has already been done.
(Starkey 10) The baby girl was named Elizabeth. ... She forced Henry to take Elizabeth back into the house, as Elizabeth had been sent away for schooling. ... There was nothing Elizabeth could do but wait. ... Queen Mary distrusted Elizabeth, but when she developed a tumor and died in 1558, Elizabeth was next in line to the throne. ... Elizabeth was pronounced queen of England. ...
Anne was beheaded on Tower Green on May 19, 1536 when Elizabeth was only two years old. ... After King Henry died Elizabeth's step brother Edward from Henrys third wife became king. ... Elizabeth was now just twenty five years old, and Queen of England. ... Queen Elizabeth had to decide what religion best suited England without starting a war. ... By the late winter of 1602 Elizabeth started to get sick. ...
She felt that if she could get rid of Elizabeth then John would be hers. So she accused Elizabeth of being a witch, knowing that Elizabeth would be hanged if convicted. ... Of course, Elizabeth was not exactly delighted about being falsely accused. ... Now, he knew the only way he could really save Elizabeth was by confessing that he had a romance with Abigail, and that Elizabeth had fired her because of it. ... Elizabeth had held her ground, and did not say anything to them. ...
In the speech made by Queen Elizabeth I of England to her troops, Elizabeth used many of the different resources of language. ... Elizabeth is prepared to die for her country, and for the decision that she has made. ... Elizabeth continues in regard to taking up arms herself to protect her people and her country. ... Elizabeth uses very strong words in her speech to her troops, as sort of a motivation tool. ... Elizabeth is speaking to them as if she were just an ordinary person. ...
Shea, 1990 reveals to me the dilemma Elizabeth is confronted with once she finally validates her growing desire to become a Quaker. ... Elizabeth was not yet ready to make an outward commitment to the Quaker faith at this point in her writing. ... Elizabeth and her husband are engaged in a battle where there can be only one victor, given the times they lived in. ... Elizabeth is feeling hopeless at this point and just goes along with the Proposal. ... Elizabeth was slowly strengthening her convictions but still remained silent toward her husband. ...
Elizabeth I was born on September 7, 1533. ... Elizabeth was very well educated. ... Elizabeth studied Latin, Greek, French, and Italian. ... In some respects Elizabeth could be viewed as perhaps a bit manipulative but she was an excellent leader (Biography: Elizabeth I). ... Elizabeth held much strength as a female ruler. ...
Elizabeth: An Example Of Dramatic License The film Elizabeth, directed by Shekhar Kapur, was released in the US in November of 1998. ... Elizabeth." ... Elizabeth and Robert did in fact have "deep feelings of affection" for each other but Elizabeth never acted on "childish passion." ... In reality "Elizabeth lived and died a virgin." ... She did a spectacular job portraying Elizabeth. ...
Elizabeth and Luther: World-shakers Our society favors conformity over defiance. ... Elizabeth's refusal to marry was another sign of her indignant character, refusing to share power with a husband. ... Luther and Elizabeth possessed the courage of their convictions. ... Very few people chose to follow their hearts like Luther and Elizabeth for fear of rejection and failure. ... Elizabeth was very much attuned to the issues of her kingdom even before her accession to the throne. ...
Elizabeth Taylor Elizabeth Taylor was born in London on February 27,1932. ... Then in 1950, Elizabeth was in Father of the Bride. ... Elizabeth and Mike had a daughter named Liza. ... Then Elizabeth's life fell apart. ... In 1982 Elizabeth divorced John. ...
