Topic > Women in literature: Lanyer vs. Modern Stereotypes

Lanyer takes a bold step with her work by turning social notions about women on their head by using them in her argument about the role of women. Using irony and sarcasm in her poetry, she addresses the issue of women's inequality by using imagery to express women as equal to men, and sometimes even better. He states that Pilate should have listened to his wife asking her to spare Jesus' life. Lanyer notes that Pilate never followed his wife's advice and decided to have nothing to do with it, which was more cowardly than what his wife would have done. In today's society, women are quick to blame men for not taking action in case things don't work out as expected. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In her defense of women, she notes that it was the man's fault in the story of Adam and Eve, for the fall of humanity. Her defense of women insinuates that it is women's nature to succumb to temptation, and it is men's job to be strong and lead women. Her defense of women in the second stanza of the poem is comparable to today's stereotypes of women as society accepts that women are a weaker sex who need guidance from men. Men in contemporary society are their spouses or world leaders who show the way forward on sensitive issues. Ironically, Lanyer does not accept that women are weaker and men are stronger. She cannot understand why women should bear the guilt of being responsible for the downfall of humanity. Lanyer states that men are easily persuaded by women, which is also witnessed in today's world. It is believed that men are tricked into doing certain things through women.