Gender continues to be a theme within all the texts we have looked at this semester. From Jew of Malta to Witch of Edmonton, gender confines certain characters to unmitigated disaster. In our text this week, Witch of Edmonton, gender intertwines with social standing to prove some women as witches and harlots and one man as a lost soul whom everyone forgives.
In my first instance, I want to look at Elizabeth Sawyer, the "witch" among us. While this particular society doesn't see witches in the sense that we have seen elsewhere, Elizabeth Sawyer remains confined to her mundane doings by simple hearsay of the men in her town. After being brutally attacked in force and words by Old Banks, Elizabeth evokes a power, good or bad, to come and help her seek revenge on this old dog. When the devil appears, he conjures up the familiar sight of a black dog, much like a tangible personification of the names she placed on Banks. It appears that while Elizabeth isn't herself evil, the devil preys on her vulnerability and her desire to inflict revenge on Banks. By speaking a persona or identity into being, it becomes so in this society. Banks imposed Elizabeth to be a witch, and in her conjuring of the devil dog she believes she came one. Did she herself do any malicious deeds? Perhaps not, but the fact that all the moral corruption comes into light after her accusation seems to prove Old Banks' belief at least in the town's mind.
In the second instance, I examine Susan Carter. Susan is another sympathetic female character in this play. It appears that Susan is blinded by affection for Frank Thorney, who is a shady character from his beginning scene. She believes that Frank harbors true affection for her, and therefore agrees to go through with their marriage. Frank Thorney's family has lost their wealth and soon their land, and Frank spends his days as a servant to Sir Arthur. The match is closely related to the Duchess and Antonio's relationship, however Antonio was devoted solely to the Duchess. After Frank has made it clear to Susan that he is leaving her she follows him to try and persuade him otherwise. Sadly, the tables turn and Susan is left in her final moments of life confined to the title of "whore". While Frank is the one who has been dishonest in many ways, it is Susan who pays the ultimate price. By Frank placing the word "whore" onto Susan's character, Susan carries that to her death bed longing for forgiveness from Heaven. Once again, a male character speaks a characterization into being, and the woman succumbs to it.
However, in terms of women speaking harshly to men the words lack the same adhesive nature. After Frank has been discovered by Katherine for murdering her sister Susan, she calls him a villain. Frank disregards this and continues with his charade with Winnifred dressed as a page boy. Frank truly embodies what he deemed Susan, a whore. However, this society doesn't see him as a polygamist or adulterer, they see him as a lost soul. Frank constantly tries to put blame on the devil, or in this case the devil dog. By placing blame on everyone else but himself, Frank tries to evade death and play the victim instead of the villain. However, his life comes to a close as both he and Elizabeth are hanged for their crimes. Sadly, Frank is the one forgiven of his sins and wrongdoings while Elizabeth must suffer a wrongful sentence. The play addresses gender inequality and personifies sin as a constant companion to subconscious and unreasonable desires.
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