Compare and contrast religious condemnation
John Ford’s revenge tragedy “Tis Pity She’s a Whore” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s historical romance novel “The Scarlet Letter”, present extreme religious societies that are both set in the 17th century. While in “Tis Pity She’s a Whore” the catholic church is ruled by a hierarchy, in “The Scarlet Letter” the puritans, are sovereign within each congregation. Both writers explore the influence of religion and differences in punishment for women compared to men. This is clearly shown in “Tis Pity She’s a Whore” as Anabella is titled “whore”. Similarly, in “The Scarlet Letter” Hester is branded with an “A” and openly humiliated for her sins. Ford illustrates the themes of sin and punishment throughout “Tis Pity She’s a Whore”.
However, these themes are most evident during the beginning of the play. It is presented through the conversation between the Friar Bonaventura and Giovanni, as Giovanni confesses his love for Anabella - his sister. He attempts to convince the Friar about his forbidden relationship, and claims his passion remains beyond his control as he says, “Must I not do what all men else may – love?”. Ford uses this rhetorical question to create sympathy towards Giovanni and question society’s restrictions on love and relationships. However, as the friar is a member of the religious order within the catholic church, he therefore detests the idea of incestuous relationships. This is demonstrated when he says “Discovered first the nearest way to Hell; And filled the world with devilish atheism. ” The friar states that it is the “nearest way to Hell” signifying the immorality of incest, as Catholics believe that Hell is a place of eternal punishment for those rejected by God. The Friar compares Giovanni’s sin to “devilish atheism” implying that it is evil and goes against God’s wishes. This is as the Catholic church not only forbids fornication, but incest is also believed to be a sin both against chastity and the virtue of piety to those related by blood.
The Friar’s response to Giovanni reflects the European Renaissance tradition of argument. This is where students and their teachers used logical reasoning to support their philosophical claims, even about love. So what? Relate back to Q – Ford’s intentions?Similarly, Hawthorne exemplifies the themes of sin and punishment throughout “The Scarlet Letter”. This is shown in chapter two ‘The Market-Place’ as Hester Prynne holding her infant, emerges from the prison door to be publicly condemned. On the breast of Hester’s gown “appeared the letter A”. The letter was a form of punishment for the sin Hester committed, as it symbolises adulterer. Adultery was considered the ultimate sin in the Puritan society as it is believed to be a moral violation of God's will. Hester faced punishment from the townspeople daily as she was described as an “unhappy culprit” who was “under the heavy weight of a thousand unrelenting eyes”. The comparison of Hester to a “culprit” emphasises how the beliefs of the people during 17th century was strongly influenced by religion. Not only was she warned by reverend Wilson about the consequences of hell she will face in the afterlife, but she was also facing it in her town through the “unrelenting eyes”.
The description of eyes has religious connotations of God as he watches over people, and judges them for their actions during their lives. During chapter three ‘The Recognition’, Hawthorne uses the nouns “vileness” and “blackness” depict the contamination of sin and the absence of light. Purity is usually associated with the colour white, however her sin is described as black. This further implies how evil, and impure her act is. Repentance is a reoccurring theme in ‘Tis Pity’, it is also presented through the conversation when Giovanni begs the Friar for advice. The Friar urges him to fast and pray, which Giovanni agrees to try, though it fails to rid him of his love towards Anabella. “Repentance, son, and sorrow for this sin: For thou hast mov'd a Majesty above, With thy unranged blasphemy”. The Friar reiterates the degree of sin Giovanni has committed as he states “thou hast mov’d a Majesty above”. This implies that Giovanni’s illicit love offends God and strongly goes against him. This highlights the importance of repentance as he compares his sin to “unranged blasphemy”. This is the action/offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God.
The Catholic Church teaches that sacramental confession requires three acts on the part of the penitent: contrition which is the “sorrow for this sin” committed, disclosure of the sins, and satisfaction. The theme of penitence is also presented through Anabella during Act V Scene I, as she repents and prays for someone to appear to hear her confession. She gives a letter to the Friar expressing her remorse for her sin. In the letter she describes her sin as “A wretched woeful woman’s tragedy”. This is a form of repentance as she admits her wrongdoings by describing herself as “wretched” and “woeful”, which emphasises her guilt and sorrow. The main act which The Catholic Church teaches is the sacramental confession, which Anabella does. Ford’s use of melodrama, of the letter written in blood is not only disclosure of Anabella’s sin, and accentuates the unrighteousness of her act. The use of blood illustrates that Anabella is trying to purify herself and cleanse her sins.
