The Mask By Comus Essay

When evil strikes, one must be ready to throw up arms and offer defense, but what about the belief that virtue is all the defense one needs. The idea that if you are virtuous enough, meaning if you have a high enough moral standard, that evil cannot inflict harm. In the mask, Comus, John Milton explores the power of virtue. When the Lady is held hostage by Comus, whose interest lies in stripping her of her virtue by taking her virginity, her two brothers exchange their thoughts on what is to become of her. The elder brother believes that virtue possesses supernatural powers of protection, that his sister’s chastity purifies the mind and gives her an immortal soul. Whereas, the second brother speaks out of fear for his sister’s safety,
Comus argues to the Lady that she should seize the day and take advantage of the powers of her sexuality. She replied and almost immediately Comus strikes down her rebuttal. The Lady decides that she is going to have to counter his persuasion with her own ideas. She says, “Natures full blessing would be well dispenc’t / In unsuperfluous eeven proportion,” (772-773). She is claiming that nature’s gifts are only for those who are calm and good men. She is able to impress Comus with her theory. Comus does begin to try sway her again, but just as he begins to speak, her brothers rush in. Her virtue allows her to think clearly and to build her long argument that inspires Comus. Essentially, her argument bought her time, allowing her brothers to rescue
The Lady’s virtue granted her a shield of protection, wisdom, and help from the supernatural. Milton’s mask was a reminder to the community how important and special virtuous women are. A woman’s chastity should be protected and valued, not ripped away as Comus wished to do. However, the chastity alone did not save her, the Lady did not escape only on her own, it was only through the help of the Assistant Spirit, the special herb, and Sabrina. It was her virtue that allowed for those things to come to her assistance. Yet, one must wonder, would the mask still ended with all of the same help and happiness if she had not been a virtuous woman, was Milton trying to show the importance and power of virtue, or simply working with what he