How Does Power Change In 18th Century English Literature

During the Renaissance, Reformation, and 18th Century, Britain faced many changes which also happened to affect the literature what was written in this time. There were many shifts in rulers during these three time periods, including the first female queen and the first time parliament killed the British king and ruled. Due to all of the changes in society, the perception of masculinity changed in literature as well. More specifically, masculine power changed throughout these time periods. Masculine power is now visible in female characters, in outcasts, and then in men and women cohesively. These changes are exhibited throughout The Duchess of Malfi, The Rover, and Fantomina. Power in masculine characters has adapted to the changes that occurred throughout the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the 18th Century time periods one of the changes it has had to make was the shift from anger to lust. Through the play, The Duchess of Malfi, John Webster demonstrates how having power can lead to masculine characters showing anger towards their power being threatened. The primary source
Those gradual changes are shown in literature from each time period in works such as in The Duchess of Malfi, The Rover, and Fantomina. In The Duchess of Malfi, which was written in the Renaissance time period, power is an important part of life. When the power of a masculine character is threatened they become angered and lash out onto others. In the Reformation work, The Rover, power has been taken away from the men in this story and they use force to try and regain some power. Lastly, in the 18th Century novel, Fantomina, both characters still have their power, but they use lust to try to gain even more from one another. With these three pieces of literature thought about cohesively, the shift in how power is obtained is