chapter 3

Judith is treated by her family, especially her father, in a way typical of the role od women in Elizabethan England. Her father cherishes and adores her, but noncompliance is met with a beating. Judith lives in a patriarchal society that places little value on women outside of marriage and childbearing. Her desire to write must be concealed, her desire to act leads to ridicule.... that a woman might be intelligent was unthinkable.