the evolution of women: from andrew marvell to jonathan swift

the evolution of women: from andrew marvell to jonathan swift

the condition of women in england has changed over centuries and it is possible to say that their situation has become better. this paper aims to demonstrate how women are viewed in the 17th and 18th century based on a poem by andrew marvell, "to his coy mistress", and jonathan swift's “the lady’s dressing room”.

in the 17th century, women did not have the liberty to live the life they want and had little freedom over their lives. the view toward them is shown in marvell's poem: they are seen as mere objects over which men have complete power and are allowed to treat them as they please. whereas, in the 18th century, as there is a rise of individualism, they gain more freedom, as is illustrated by swift's poem that a woman is seen as a human being, not as mere saints or sinners. it is thus concluded that the conditions of women and how they are portrayed have evolved from the 17th century to the 18th century.