In class this week we have talked and read about many things, such as going over British history, discussing the slave trade and slavery that took place in Britain and America, and reading “The Daemon-lover”. In all these topics I noticed one common similarity and theme- a lack of morality.
Beginning with British history, immorality was noticeable in the royal families. There were many executions and religious conflict that resulted in the mistreatment of human beings. For example, King Henry VII had six wives whom he mistreated, he beheaded two wives and divorced two other wives. The monarchy in Britain was highly religious, but switched back and forth from Protestant to Catholic, and as a result religious prosecution was prominent.
The slave trade stemmed from Britain and is another example of a lack of morality. We read writings from former slaves about their personal experience of being a slave; how they were treated by their masters, what their lives were like, and how they wanted change. Sometimes they were treated cruelly, other times with kindness. Regardless of how they were treated, the whole concept of slavery is immoral. Slavery was accepted by society at that time and it wasn’t until hundreds of years later that society widely accepted slavery as being wrong.
In “The Daemon-lover”, a woman comes across a former lover who tries to influence her to leave with him. She finally agrees and leaves with him. She abandons her husband and two babies, showing her lack of morality.
These immoralities are hard for me to grasp. Was King Henry VII so self-absorbed he didn’t care how many women he killed/divorced? How did people think slavery was okay? Was it really that easy for the woman in “The Daemon-lover” to abandon her family for a man she didn’t really know?
English 2323-020 
Hello Isabelle! I agree with everything that your post stated. A common theme throughout all of the readings is a lack of morality. To having multiple wives to slavery! I find it crazy that throughout history these things were once seen as acceptable. For instance, you asked how people thought slavery was okay, well to answer that I believe that it had a lot to do on peoples perspective back then. People looked at slaves as a business ordeal rather than human beings being suffered. It’s also the same situation with King Henry having so many wives, back then it was viewed as a way for men to have more control and they probably ignored the damage they were causing these women.
LikeLike
As I do so love answering questions, I will make an attempt-
King Henry VIII was very likely insane; I forget the specifics of what the disease was, but through his actions and descriptions of his demeanor, historians have diagnosed him with a disease that commonly causes one’s thought process to be hindered and altered. His wont to dispose of his wives was driven by a desire to sire a son, blaming them for the perceived shortcomings he had for them and acting on his madness addled thoughts.
As of now, I have posted what amounts to an answer for the question of ‘Why was slavery not opposed’.
The point of the ballad “The Daemon-lover” was to show that it should not have been as easy as it was for her to abandon what she had; as much good and bad can be said about the theme of that story, it was very clear that her lack of morality and unwillingness to act as a mother and wife led her to an early, watery grave and an eternity of suffering.
Moral choices are much easier to make once enough time has passed to be able to think about the past objectively. They are also easier to make when you don’t have mental issues.
LikeLike
I agree with your point of view. People back in Henry VIII’s time seemed to go after their own goals. Because he wanted a male heir so much, he had no problem killing and divorcing wives while he tried for a male heir.
Slave owners used the Bible to justify having slaves. They would say that there were slaves in the Bible and God talked about slaves and how slaves should be treated, so that must mean that God thinks slavery is just fine.
In “The Daemon-Lover” it seems like the woman cared about money more than she cared about her family. What kind of wife and mother would she have been if she stayed since it was so easy to leave her family for the rich guy? Maybe the family is better off without her anyway.
LikeLike
The thing that stuck out to me the most while reading your blog post is the face that king Henry was part of the catholic and protostar this religion, but he still mistreated and beheaded two of his previous wives. It’s also shocking to me that in “The Daemon-lover” the woman was able to leave her two babies for her new love, I also saw that as a lack of morality.
LikeLike
Hello Isabelle, good questions! I think the idea of me being better than them by power and color was very deep-rooted and prominent in the 15th century were slavery was prominent and legal. They based themselves on this cast system and also based themselves by color which to us see seems very cruel but was common in such a time period. I also believe that cheating is very common today but it more openly mentioned and known who cheated today than it was back in the day. Back in the day, they were tied to a person that good for the family and they didn’t low. It is also important to note that they use to marry very young and their love interest didn’t develop to the fullest it, therefore they cheated
LikeLike