Family
‹ 1 · Outline · 3 ›
2.The nature and ends of marriage
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 167The narrator asks about marriage laws, monogamy and the propagation of families in the land of the Feast of the Family.read · scan
2a.Marriage as a sacred and indissoluble bond
Aeschylus, The FuriesVol. 8
- p. 129–131Debate over kindred blood versus marriage: Furies pursue only kin-slayers, Apollo defends the sanctity of the marriage-troth.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 994Marriage permitted to chaste believing women and chaste women of the Book.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 108–109Marriage is bound by a covenant sworn on the Kur'an, and a month of happiness follows.read · scan
- p. 266Marriage bond extends to death; spouses buried together.read · scan
- p. 266The custom is justified as never separating husband and wife.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 352Faith unites the soul to Christ as wife to husband, sharing all goods and evils in common.read · scan
- p. 353Marriage imagery: the wedding-ring of faith joins Christ and the soul as husband and bride.read · scan
- p. 353–354Royal nuptials: Christ the rich husband weds the needy harlot, sharing all possessions.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 364–366Old severe penalties for adultery show how highly marriage was esteemed as a holy estate.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 83–84The song ends urging marriage as the Church's unbreakable bond, vowing otherwise to become a Capuchin.read · scan
- p. 318Marriage as divine ordinance makes two one flesh and one will, so a wife's dishonour falls on her husband.read · scan
- p. 329Marriage as a vessel Heaven allotted, to be kept safely.read · scan
- p. 361Dorothea asserts that Heaven has knit marriages and Lucinda is another man's wife.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 172–174Hamlet calls the King 'mother' since man and wife are one flesh.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 531–532The king declares he will not disjoin the sacred marriage knot of Lacy and Rose despite the opposition of Lincoln and Rose's father.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 764–767The duchess woos Antonio, discussing marriage as sacrament, heaven or hell, and the joys of children.read · scan
- p. 767–772The duchess and Antonio marry by private contract, kneeling and calling heaven to bless; she argues a contract in words of present time is absolute marriage.read · scan
- p. 793Secret marriage of the Duchess and Antonio; Antonio urges Cariola to marry and forsake the single life.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 249Creation of Eve from Adam's rib and first marriage: 'one flesh', forsaking father and mother, nuptial rites.read · scan
- p. 281Marital union: Adam and Eve are one flesh and their state cannot be parted.read · scan
- p. 281The married pair are one flesh and heart, sharing one lot.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 35–36Argues Virgil made Dido and Aeneas's union a lawful marriage ratified by Juno, preparing for a divorce echoing Augustus's.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 240Respects marriage as the first and most sacred institution of nature, and refuses to profane it after renouncing it.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 420–421The marriage of the two young people is hindered by violence; God's law joins those whom man would put asunder.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 423Marriage analogy: a man with wife and children closes the question of the institution.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 248Marriage blessed by a priest with vow of faithfulness is the means of gaining a soul.read · scan
2b.Marriage for procreation and the continuance of the line
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 309–311Children are a heritage and reward from Jehovah; the blessed man has a fruitful wife and children's children round his table.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 756–757Parents urge their son to marry since no family can last without children; they seek a bride for him.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 118Marrying, begetting offspring and easing kinsmen's fears are named as life's aims.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 215–216A father consoled for the loss of his son; honors encourage men to beget children and leave a worthy race.read · scan
- p. 216–218Praises Voconius's father, father-in-law and mother, and secures for him the privilege granted to fathers of three children.read · scan
- p. 357Pliny rejoices at the privilege for fathers of three children and desires a family; praises Romanus's tenderness to his parents.read · scan
- p. 403–404Pliny seeks for Suetonius the legal privilege of a father of three children, given his unhappy marriage.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 23Wishes youthful passion had been channelled into marriage and a family, as God's law prescribes, and regrets his friends' neglect of it.read · scan
- p. 46Contrasts marriage-covenant self-restraint for offspring with lustful bargain; children once born constrain love; faithful to one concubine.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 224–229The married sect embraces matrimony and procreation as duty to nature and country; the other prefers celibacy.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 463Prophecy promises wedlock and offspring to the knight.read · scan
- p. 465He anticipates marriage and sons from Dulcinea.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 365Lords desire many wives and children to increase their race and kindred, seen as their strength.read · scan
Edmund Spenser, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 230–231Nymph's song blesses the brides with joy, peace, chaste bed and fruitful issue in marriage.read · scan
- p. 242Wedding night invoked with the begetting of heroes by Jove as model.read · scan
- p. 243–244Prays for fruitful marriage bed, chaste womb and timely offspring, invoking Juno, Genius and Hymen to bless wedlock.read · scan
- p. 244–246Asks heavens to bless the marriage with a large posterity.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 77–78Roman decree gave privileges to those who married and immunities to those with six children.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 165The king's charter honors the father of a numerous family; the king is a debtor only for propagation of his subjects; the Son of the Vine is chosen.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 716–717Philaster imagines a simple marriage and rearing coarse children with a mountain girl.read · scan
- p. 744Blessing on the marriage that it may spread fruitful branches over all lands.read · scan
Robert Herrick, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 334–336Maidens urged to marry while young.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 291–292Living on through children is called a fallacy unworthy of one who hopes for heaven.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at School and at College, 1624-1632Vol. 4
- p. 16–18Winter, wishing to avoid the reproach of an uncoupled bed and childless age, seeks a wife.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 170Their nuptial bower and connubial rites are defended as pure; the Maker bids increase.read · scan
- p. 180Angel hails Eve as mother of mankind whose sons will fill the world.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 264–266Gaius urges Christiana to find brides for her sons so the family name endures; Mercy is married to Matthew.read · scan
- p. 282–283Mnason's daughters marry Christiana's sons, and Christian's name lives on through fruitful descendants.read · scan
- p. 318–319Christian's four boys, with wives and children, are reported still alive.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 72Where labour is well rewarded, children are a source of wealth, encouraging early marriage and rapid population growth.read · scan
- p. 439Analogy: a marriage producing only two children to replace parents is not barren, though less productive than one producing three.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 279–280A soldier's wish to marry is indulged by Egmont despite the captain's objection.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 109–110Prays for lasting marriage and for the parental name to be blessed with filial blossoms.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 608–609Cristoforo counsels marriage as companionship and bringing up children for God, teaching love of all men.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, NatureVol. 5
- p. 231The lover seeks private felicity in marriage, while nature hides in it her end, progeny and perpetuity of the race.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1303–1304Evangeline will bring delight, abundance and children to her husband's house.read · scan
Walt Whitman, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1410–1411He asks for marriage to a sweet woman, a perfect child and a rural domestic life.read · scan
George Meredith, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1140–1141Her mother thinks wedding the wild girl would bring more love and less care, and many children.read · scan
2c.The controversy over marriage and celibacy
See also: Law 4b
The Bhagavad-Gita; or, Song CelestialVol. 45
- p. 846–849Wisdom includes lightly holding to home, children and wife, and all that binds men.read · scan
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 497–498Paul counsels marriage as remedy for fornication, mutual conjugal duty of husband and wife, and celibacy as a gift.read · scan
- p. 499Paul's advice on virgins, marriage, widows and daughters: marriage is no sin, but celibacy is better and happier.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 393One guest excuses himself because he has married a wife.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 159Whether the Cynic should marry and rear children: in a republic of wise men he might, with wife and children like himself.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 93He considers a wife with money as the bound of desire, noting great men studied wisdom while married.read · scan
- p. 93–94Alypius dissuades him from marrying, arguing that marriage would prevent their living together in love of wisdom.read · scan
- p. 94The honour of ordering a married life and family moved them only slightly.read · scan
- p. 119He weighs marriage against the Apostle's counsel of continence, feeling bound and burdened by married life.read · scan
- p. 127Their betrothed brides dedicate their virginity to God.read · scan
- p. 181Continency is enjoined even from wedlock, which is permitted but a lesser good than what is counselled.read · scan
Martin Luther, Address to the Christian Nobility of the German NationVol. 36
- p. 286Priests may marry and bastards be legitimated for money; forbidden marriages are tolerated.read · scan
- p. 302Priests should be allowed lawful wives and children, as Paul's bishop is husband of one wife; celibacy law brought misery.read · scan
- p. 303Parish priests should marry and lead a domestic life; enforced celibacy gave rise to unchaste living.read · scan
- p. 303–304Priests with wives and children are married before God; they should take them as lawful wives despite the Pope.read · scan
- p. 304–305Priests need wives for household; forbidding marriage while tolerating concubines is absurd; God's command against separating husband and wife prevails.read · scan
John Calvin, Dedication of the Institutes of the Christian ReligionVol. 39
- p. 35Fathers held that marriage should not be forbidden to ministers and that cohabitation with a wife is chastity; the Church enjoins celibacy.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 267Clerical marriage permitted; clergy leave goods to wives and children rather than kinsfolk, with more orderly households.read · scan
- p. 267Defends clergy wives against slander, noting noblewomen offend as often; 'Eve will be Eve'read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 270–271Sancho, being married with wife and children, is unfit for church livings and wants his master married.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 21–23Wives as bonds of chastity and obedience, mistresses, companions and nurses by age; when to marry; bad husbands and good wives.read · scan
Francis Bacon, LifeVol. 40
- p. 348–349Marriage brings cares, celibacy a curse; children are either mourned or wished gone.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 144–146Hamlet renounces marriage, telling Ophelia to go to a nunnery and not breed sinners; marriage brings calumny.read · scan
Andrew Marvell, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 377–379Adam alone in Eden lacking a mate; being alone in Paradise was beyond a mortal's share.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 127Marriage is questioned as inferior to continence.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 341–342Advice against pledging a young daughter to worldly marriage; husbands called pagans before God; virginity valuedread · scan
Daniel Defoe, The Education of WomenVol. 27
- p. 151The woman says she had more need of school than of being married.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 80–81Most English clergy are married, which keeps a bishop contented with his own wife.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 132–135Martha urges marriage on Mephistopheles, lamenting a lonely bachelor's grave.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 347–348Neighbor praises the single life without wife and children in times of flight; Hermann replies a man needs a wife and shares joy and sorrow.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 264–265The old elf takes a new bride and stepmother, and urges his sons to choose wives; they prefer companionship and refuse matrimony.read · scan
2d.Marriage as constraint or folly
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 331Hippolytus laments woman's role in birth, dowry and marriage, calling a wife a poison-flower that ruins a husband's wealth and peace.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 185Solomon's evil wife makes him despise women; the promised savior and knight come of his lineage.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of FriendshipVol. 32
- p. 75Marriage is a constrained covenant made for other ends, unfit for the freedom of friendship.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 221–224Mephistophilis mocks marriage as a ceremonial toy and offers courtesans instead.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 687–688Pharamond jokes that such chaste women would make husbands' getting their own children a problem.read · scan
- p. 688Pharamond speaks of his coming marriage cynically, saying he must ravish his bride.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 321–323Approves single marriage, allows polygamy; wishes procreation without conjunction, calling union the foolishest act of a wise man.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 304Adam rails against women and marriage, then is softened by Eve's tearful plea and reconciles with her.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 66–68Faust curses possessions of wife, child, slave and plough as things that beguile.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 126–127Sir Peter laments his marriage of an old bachelor to a young wife, quarrelling from the honeymoon, and his ward's rebellion over her chosen husband.read · scan
- p. 185–186Sir Peter is mocked for marrying at his age and wants to be master in his own house; marriage troubles.read · scan
- p. 196–197Lady Teazle laments being bound to her husband and a dull rustic marriage, leaving the gaieties of town.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 130–132Sober marriage bed questioned as a scene of love; vagrants' ragged brats.read · scan
- p. 133–134Bitter marriage to Bess contrasted with joy in a new love.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 386–387Machiavelli's unhappy marriage led him to extravagant satire in Belphegor.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, New England ReformersVol. 5
- p. 253–254Some attacked marriage as the fountain of social evils.read · scan
- p. 258–259Marriage is no worse than education, diet or trade.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 19Swift rages against marriage and children, scorning the curate with a large family and callously proposing to eat infants.read · scan
- p. 20Swift urges the folly of loving and having children and of conjugal love; approves the state removing children from parents.read · scan
- p. 27Swift wanted to marry neither woman; his marriage to Stella is rumored and kills Vanessa.read · scan
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