(pp. 10, 57f)
To sweeten the bitter pill of subordination (and of serving, that is), women are given a reprehensible doctrine in consolation:
“Be subservient to man so that you may reign!” –
a doctrine that the author impresses upon women repeatedly and with various turns of phrase.
Let us disregard the nonsensical logic of this sentence, whose two parts are incompatible, for if one reigns, then one is clearly superior and not inferior.
But this hypocritical commandment, which is considered good and pious, is saturated with the spirit of Machiavelli. In other words, it reads:
Instead of ruling by means of the noble abilities and moral merits that God
has given you, suppress and conceal them; if necessary, submit to a man
who might be brutish, do not contradict him, appear to do as he demands,
let him have his way in all things, no matter how foolish or reprehensible.
Hypocrisy and intrigue shall be your weapons; spy out his weaknesses,
be gentle, flatter him, and you will dominate him.
If he be Samson, you be Delilah!
(pp. 58/57)
Recently, I came across a medieval poem that deals with wifely duties and introduces the married master as a malicious baboon.
It begins as follows:
“When he shouts, she remains silent,
Once he is quiet, she addresses him,
If he is in a grim mood, she is in a cool mood,
If he is very grim, she speaks in a quiet voice,
If he is quietly grim, she is in a consoling mood,
If he is impetuous, she speaks in a subdued voice,
If he rages with fury, she avoids him,
If he is fuming, she is obliging,
If he gripes with fury, she speaks to him.
He is the sun, she is the moon.
She is the night; he rules the day.”
By the way, Mr. v. Nathusius is not the only person, who, in his eagerness to prove that women must stay at home, shrouds men in an aura of utter stupidity.
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