Edited version of "Number Four Question"

Many years ago, women had to fight for their rights. They had to fight for respect,understanding, appreciation and fairness. Women before they had rights were very different than how they are now.

Like portrayed in Cue For Treason with the character Mrs. Desmond, during the Elizabethan Era, only men could work on important jobs. Women could do simple work, but nothing else. At the time, women were not only expected to stay at home, but most women did not have the education to work anyways. This was because women were not allowed to get schooling. If a women had enough education and did work, it would be very rare as well as a bit odd. Even though Mrs. Desmond in Cue For Treason was very capable, she was not allowed to go onstage and perform. Kit did not want to have to be put in that position so she dressed up and disguised herself as a boy, not only to act onstage, but to hide from her ex-fiance Sir Philip, a smart move on her part. Thankfully, even though he knew, Shakespeare did not reveal her secret because he knew how dearly it would cost her. Women in the present are very lucky to have an education as well as jobs, something many Elizabethan women could of only dreamed about having.

Another disadvantage women had was if a marriage did not work out a divorce took place, they could not re-marry. Women were forced to stay alone for the rest of their lives. I find this very unfair because even though a marriage didn't work out once, there is no reason that it would not work out the next time. Women nowadays are given the opportunity to re-marry because of the rights they have now.

Women during the Elizabethan Era were portrayed as polite,respectful and always well behaved. Compared to our modern day standards, women were thought of as less important, with the exception of Queen Elizabeth. Women who did not dress, speak, and act as expected were though of as lower class and/or unimportant. As shown in the photo below, rich women had the expectation to constantly look put-together and never revealed or exposed. Women today are still expected to be respectful but they have the choice of how they would like to dress.



Cue For Treason portrayed women during the Elizabethan Era very well. It not only described the appearance of women but also the struggles they must deal with against society. In the Elizabethan Era, women had no education, jobs, or many rights at all. Today, women can choose how they would like to be thought of, either it be good or bad, it is still their decision thanks to their equal rights.