The Superiority of Women over Men: John Ruskin (1819-1900), English writer, art critic, and reformer’s Observations in Sesame and Lilies. Lecture II.—Lilies: Of Queens’ Gardens

From: Sesame and Lilies. Lecture II.—Lilies: Of Queens’ Gardens

Examining John Ruskin's Observations on the Superiority of Women in "Sesame and Lilies: Of Queens' Gardens"

John Ruskin's Perspective on the Dignified Place of Women in Society

According to John Ruskin (1819 - 1900), the place of women in society is much more dignified than even that of men. Ruskin hates the idea of treating women as mere shadow and attendant image of their lord.i.e. men. Really there is no difference between man and women. According to him, a woman is a dignified creature. He corroborates his opinion with the testimony of the great authors regarding the true dignity of women.

Shakespeare's Heroines as Paragons of Virtue and the Role of Women in Shaping Shakespearean Tragedies

In his lecture Of Queens’ Gardens he first takes Shakespeare, “Shakespeare has no heroes; he has only heroines”. Ruskin says, there is no one entirely heroic figure in all his plays, except the slight sketch of Henry the 5^th. In his laboured and perfect plays, there is virtually no hero. All the heroes of these plays are glomourless before the shining characters of the heroines. But Othello is the only example approximation to the heroic type. On the other hand, there is hardly a play that has not a perfect woman in it.

Farther Ruskin argues that the catastrophe of every play is caused always by the folly or fault of a man. The redemption, if there be any, is by the wisdom and virtue of a woman, and failing that, there is none.

In Shakespeare’s play women like Desdemona, Isabella, Hermione, queen Catharine, Sylvia, Viola, Rosalind , Helena and last, perhaps the loveliest, Virgilia are faultless, effortless and conceived in the highest heroic type of humanity.   

Examining the Representation of Women in Shakespeare's Plays: A Balance of Strength and Weakness

Image Courtesy:
John Ruskin

However, it may be noticed that in Shakespeare’s plays there is only one weak woman: Ophelia; and it is because she fails Hamlet to study at a critical moment. Finally though there are three wicked women among the principal figures: Lady Macbeth, Regan and Goneril. They are felt at once to be frightful exceptions to the ordinary laws of life; fatal in their influence also, in proportion to the power for good which they have abandoned.

Illustrating the Superiority of Women in Virtue and Literary Representation

Hence, Ruskin testifies the superiority of women over men. So far their virtues are concerned, represents them as infallibly faithful and wise counselor, incorruptibly just and pure examples. Ruskin also draws from other poets to justify his views. Chaucer has depicted the marvelous character of a good woman in the poem, The Legend of Good Woman. Similarly, Spenser draws the character of his women figures in noble and dignified terms. Even in ancient literature, the best virtues are seen to have personified as women. In Egypt, people gave to wisdom the form of a woman.

The Guiding Power and Essence of Women: John Ruskin's Perspective in "Sesame and Lilies: Of Queens' Gardens"

Thus, Lilies is a sermon for women. The  Queens’ Gardens represents Ruskin’s view of the true function and sphere of women. His aim is to demonstrate from the teachings of the world’s sage minds that such function is a guiding and not determining one, and that the domain of women is within her ambit of argument where she is the centre of order, the balm of distress, and the mirror of beauty. Women’s power is for rule , not for battle; and her intellect is not for invention but for sweet order, arrangement and decision. And whenever the true wife comes, the home is always round her. The stars only may be over the head , the glowworm in the night-cold grass may be the only fire at her foot; but home is yet wherever she is ; and for a noble  woman it stretches fair round her; better than sealed with cedar, with or painted with vermilion. Ruskin argues that, " The relations of the womanly to the manly 

nature, their different capacities of intellect or of virtue, seem never to have been yet measured with entire consent."

Women as Moral Educators,  Emotional, Intelligent, Influencer

Ruskin first draws a ballanced argument: "We are foolish, and without excuse foolish, in speaking of  the "superiority" of one sex to the other, as if they could be  compared in similar things. Each has what the other has  not: each completes the other, and is completed by the  other: they are in nothing alike, and the happiness and perfection of both depend on each asking and receiving from the other what the other only can give." Then, Ruskin argues that women have a natural inclination towards nurturing and moral education. He emphasizes their role in shaping the moral character of society by focusing on the upbringing of children and the establishment of a virtuous domestic environment. He highlights women's ability to preserve and transmit culture through their influence in the home. He believes that women's refined sensibilities and attention to detail enable them to create an environment that fosters intellectual growth, artistic appreciation, and the preservation of traditions. 

According to Ruskin, women also possess a higher degree of emotional intelligence compared to men. He suggests that their innate empathy, sensitivity, and intuitive understanding allow them to connect with others on a deeper level, leading to more harmonious relationships and social interactions. Ruskin asserts that women have a powerful influence on men, both as mothers and as companions. He argues that men's character and achievements are often shaped by the guidance and inspiration they receive from women, whether in the form of maternal love or intellectual companionship.

Women's Role in Promoting Social Progress

 Ruskin believes that the advancement of society depends on the moral and intellectual progress of women. He argues that when women are provided with equal opportunities for education and intellectual growth, they can contribute significantly to the betterment of society, influencing social norms and fostering positive change.

Conclusion

Overall, Ruskin's observations in "Sesame and Lilies: Of Queens' Gardens" suggest that women possess inherent qualities and abilities that make them superior in certain aspects, particularly in moral education, cultural preservation, emotional intelligence, influencing men, and promoting social progress.

 Ardhendu De

• Note: From: Sesame and Lilies. Lecture II.—Lilies: Of Queens’ Gardens lecture was given December 14, 1864, at the Town Hall, Manchester, in aid of the St. Andrew’s Schools. 

•  PERFORMING THE VICTORIAN John Ruskin and Identity in Theater, Science, and Education by Sharon Aronofsky Weltman

References

Ruskin’s Sesame and lilies; three lectures: 1. Of kings’ treasuries, 2. Of queens’ gardens, 3. The mystery of life : Ruskin, John, 1819-1900 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/ruskinssesamelil00rusk