Class and Politics in Renaissance London - 1203 Words

When Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker wrote their Roaring Girl in 1611, they based it loosely on Mary Frith, who was frequenting taverns and playhouses in men’s clothing in London and had to appear in front of the court. Moll is the name of half the prostitutes in London and in their play; we meet Moll Cutpurse, the Roaring Girl. Dekker and Middleton use the unusual girl to criticize the London society. Moll goes between classes to evaluate the people in London as is shown when she talks to Sir Thomas and Lord Noland, stating When next, my lord, you spy any of one of those, So he be in his art a scholar, question him, Tempt him with gold to open the large book Of his close villainies; and you yourself shall cant Better than poor†¦show more content†¦On the other hand, the writers might show their audience that in order to grow into an expert a thief was not that different from a university-schooled person; both had to spend a long time to learn their â€Å"art†, the art of thievery and the art of literary work. Moll conveys that to be good at stealing, the person had to spend a long time of practicing, as well, just as the scholar who spend a lot of time reading and studying his books. Therefore, a thief is not that different from a person of the upper class, even though the latter probably looks down upon the rogues. Moll continues with that comparison when she says that thieves have to study in a book as well, when the literary rate was probably not that high in the lower class. Yet she says to â€Å"open the large book / of his close villainies† (5.1.306), as if there was a large book similar to a textbook which would contain all the secrets of stealing. The secrets are held close to oneself, so a personal relationship is implied as well. â€Å"Close† might also mean that when people are pertaining in villainies acts, the way back into respectable society is closed to them. This does not mean only the people whose occupation it is to steal, because together with the scholarly comparison Moll includes upper class and â€Å"learned† people as well. In addition, people might be closed-minded and see the thieves only as scum of the city, when in reality thereShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Publishing Career of Isabella Whitney928 Words   |  4 PagesThe Publishing Career of Isa bella Whitney The English Renaissance was a time of great literature. The world was changing and people were exploring their boundaries. In a time of such opportunity, women were often excluded. For instance, it was very difficult for women to receive education. Even if they did, it was extremely difficult for them to be accepted as writers and nearly impossible to have their work published. Only a small number of women writers succeeded in having their works publishedRead MoreThe During The Elizabethan Era Essay1080 Words   |  5 Pagesentertainment that took people’s minds off the daily hardships during the Elizabethan era. The Elizabethan era is known for its English nationalism and advancements of arts during the English Renaissance. 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