The Ideal of Womanhood: sposa devota, madre premurosa

Coventry Patmore, “The Angel in the House" (originally published in 1854, revised through 1862). Man must be pleased; but him to please Is woman's pleasure; down the gulf Of his condoled necessities She casts her best, she flings herself. How often flings for nought, and yokes Her heart to an icicle or whim, Whose each impatient word provokes Another, not from her, but him; While she, too gentle even to force His penitence by kind replies, Waits by, expecting his remorse, With pardon in her pitying eyes; And if he once, by shame oppress'd, A comfortable word confers, She leans and weeps against his breast, And seems to think the sin was hers; Or any eye to see her charms, At any time, she's still his wife, Dearly devoted to his arms; She loves with love that cannot tire; And when, ah woe, she loves alone, Through passionate duty love springs higher, As grass grows taller round a stone.

Millais, Emily Augusta Andrews Patmore

Ford Madox Brown, Oure Ladye of Good Children Date:

Ford Madox Brown – 'Take Your Son, Sir!'

Woman’s Mission, Companion of Manhood, George Elgar Hicks, 1863

The Order of Release, by John Everett MillaisJohn Everett Millais

"King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid," 1884, by Edward Burne- Jones,Edward Burne- Jones

Alfred, Lord TennysonAlfred, Lord Tennyson (The Beggar Maid, written 1833, published 1842) Her arms across her breast she laid; She was more fair than words can say; Barefooted came the beggar maid Before the king Cophetua. In robe and crown the king stept down, To meet and greet her on her way; ‘It is no wonder,’ said the lords, ‘She is more beautiful than day.’ As shines the moon in clouded skies, She in her poor attire was seen; One praised her ankles, one her eyes, One her dark hair and lovesome mien. So sweet a face, such angel grace, In all that land had never been. Cophetua sware a royal oath: ‘This beggar maid shall be my queen!’