Family
‹ 3 · Outline · 5 ›
4.The relation of husband and wife
4a.Wedded love and companionship
See also: Love 6b
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 85He blesses her parents and future husband, praising a husband and wife of one mind as the best thing.read · scan
- p. 175Odysseus prays to find his wife unharmed and blesses the Phaeacians' wives and children; he wishes Arete joy in her children.read · scan
- p. 273–274Athene reminds him that his wife and fine son are within the house.read · scan
- p. 313–314Odysseus and Penelope test one another in their reunion; he chides her hard heart and she prepares a bed.read · scan
- p. 314–315The marriage bed's secret reunites husband and wife, melting Penelope's heart.read · scan
- p. 315–316Penelope apologises for her caution; the couple weep in reunion, likened to shipwrecked swimmers reaching land.read · scan
- p. 316–317Husband and wife confide their trials and go to bed together.read · scan
- p. 317–318Husband and wife recount to each other their sufferings, restoring their household.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 72–73Job's wife urges him to renounce God and die.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 89Amasis marries Ladike of Kyrene; his marital impotence toward her is cured after her vow, and he becomes devoted.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 89–90Cicero comforts Terentia, bids farewell to his wife, daughter and son, and says he is more affected by her distress than his own.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 432Husband and wife agree together in the deception and are buried side by side.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 197–199His wife and daughter vainly entreat him to live; he leaves dear friends behind.read · scan
- p. 210He owes it to the tears of his wife and daughter not to abandon hope.read · scan
- p. 278–280Inquires after family and the wife's affectionate letters.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 198–199Grateful for an obedient, affectionate, simple wife and good masters for his children.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 150–151She gained her husband for God, governed her house piously, and cared for all of us as mother and servant.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 986–987The prophet offers his wives the choice between worldly adornments or God and the hereafter.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 115A tailor and his wife amuse themselves together and invite a stranger home.read · scan
- p. 128Domestic life with his wife, who embraces him; verses say a poor man is a stranger among his own relations.read · scan
- p. 128–130His wife notices his altered look and weeps, pressing him to confide his trouble.read · scan
- p. 142After the oath the couple live happily; she gives him gold to buy a house for their household.read · scan
- p. 265The king marries Sindbad to a noble, wealthy wife; they live in mutual love and concord.read · scan
- p. 415Wife and husband collaborate to escape the Moor and return to her father.read · scan
- p. 425–426Ali Baba confides in his wife and asks her to keep the secret; she agrees but insists on measuring.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 106–107Ganelon sends greetings to his wife and commends his son Baldwin to his friends.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 327–328Sigurd consoles Gudrun, speaks of his young son and the brothers-in-law's folly.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 34Wife counsels and cares for her husband.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 144–146The knight's lady welcomes him and he tells her to be merry and pray for Robin.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 43The King has his wife told Paré lives and not to grieve.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of FriendshipVol. 32
- p. 80Lawmakers forbid gifts between husband and wife to mirror friendship's union; Eudamidas entrusts his mother and daughter to friends.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 277Husband and wife consult over dishes brought to bridals and purifications of womenread · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 307Marriage of Anselmo and Camilla changes the friends' habits; Lothario keeps away to protect a married man's delicate honour.read · scan
- p. 344Leonela advises that a good wife should not give her husband occasion for quarrel but remove such occasions.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 67–68Princes with wives, sons and nephews still could not find in them the comfort of friendship.read · scan
- p. 69–71A man must speak to son as father and wife as husband, whereas a friend speaks freely.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 22–25Edward and Isabella renew their marriage with a kiss, a second marriage between them.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 331Marital partnership: she calls him dearest partner of greatness and will pour her spirit into his ear.read · scan
- p. 354–356Husband and wife: she urges him to be jovial, he withholds the plan from his dearest chuck.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 801The Duchess reveals her husband and three children; Bosola calls her nuptial bed a seminary of peace.read · scan
- p. 809Duchess and Antonio part to protect husband, wife and eldest son from her brothers' plots.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 335Wife unwilling to let him go while pregnant; his vision shows her with a dead child.read · scan
- p. 350–351Donne's marriage was his life's error, yet mutual, cordial affection made their bread of sorrow taste sweet.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 392–393Marriage arranged through a father's wishes and friends; a wedded life of perfect mutual compliance and contentment.read · scan
- p. 397His wife, moved by his account, sends blankets and a message of love to the poor woman.read · scan
- p. 407His wife shares his charity as almoner and rejoices in it; she has a secure maintenance after his death.read · scan
- p. 416Wife and nieces weep at his bedside; he makes Woodnot executor for their good.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 90–93Wife and husband: Polyeucte trusts her and is not jealous; Pauline asks his aid.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 155Adam and Eve as the loveliest pair, hand in hand, in innocent wedded love.read · scan
- p. 155Adam and Eve dine together in happy nuptial league with endearing smiles and youthful dalliance.read · scan
- p. 180Adam wakes Eve with tender love; married pair's affection and comfort of each other at dawn.read · scan
- p. 180Adam comforts Eve as dearer half.read · scan
- p. 180Adam cheers his spouse, kissing her tears of remorse.read · scan
- p. 227–243The argument previews Adam's account of Eve, his solitude and their nuptials.read · scan
- p. 243Eve leaves to tend her garden, preferring to hear from her husband, who mixes discourse with conjugal caresses.read · scan
- p. 249God promises Adam a likeness, fit help and other self as companion.read · scan
- p. 249Adam recounts the joy of marriage to Eve as the sum of earthly bliss.read · scan
- p. 261Adam praises wife who studies household good; married love and companionship of Adam and Eve.read · scan
- p. 261Adam warns Eve against separating, praising conjugal love; Eve resents doubt of her faith.read · scan
- p. 261Adam urges Eve to stay by his side out of tender love and mutual care.read · scan
- p. 261Adam yields to Eve, lovingly repeating charge of quick return; husband and wife parting.read · scan
- p. 278–281Marriage bond of Adam and Eve drives their choice; he weaves her a garland and awaits her return.read · scan
- p. 319Adam names Eve mother of all mankind; Eve accepts reproach humbly.read · scan
- p. 342Husband and wife leave Eden hand in hand, Eve bearing hope of the promised seed.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 191–192Christiana presents herself as Christian's wife with her babes.read · scan
- p. 224–225Christiana introduces herself as Christian's widow with his children; the household welcomes wife and children of the good man.read · scan
- p. 225–226Christiana never thought she would follow her husband, lie in his chamber, and see his face with comfort.read · scan
- p. 279–280Christiana is welcomed as Christian's wife with her sons, blessed with the King's peace.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 25–27Aeneas is an affectionate husband who seeks his lost wife Creusa and protects father and son.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 100–103Cleopatra claims the title of Antony's wife, a tie too strong for Roman laws, over Octavia.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 331–332In marriage prefer person to money, virtue to beauty, mind to body; a wife should be friend and second self.read · scan
- p. 332–333A loving married couple enjoys the greatest temporal felicity; love alone should rule between man and wife.read · scan
- p. 333Spouses' mutual love teaches children; contempt loses authority; keep up affection with kin; treat wife not as servant.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 66Franklin marries Miss Read despite obstacles; she proves a faithful helpmate and they seek each other's happiness.read · scan
- p. 76His wife shares his industry and frugality, and buys a silver spoon and china bowl, showing luxury creeping in.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 240Letter to his wife and daughter expressing affection, and commending them to God while he is away.read · scan
- p. 249He returns home and finds his family well.read · scan
- p. 255He tells his wife of his prospect before laying it before Friends.read · scan
- p. 296Sympathy for his wife and family left behind; desires they walk in humble obedience.read · scan
William Cowper, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 537–539Marriage over twenty years; wife's care and decline, husband's fear his sadness will break her heart.read · scan
- p. 543–548Gilpin and wife plan a wedding-anniversary outing with sister and children.read · scan
- p. 550–552Gilpin insists on dining with his wife at Edmonton on their wedding day.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 338The affectionate couple sit in their doorway chatting about the wandering people and neighbours.read · scan
- p. 367He blesses Hermann's quiet life and the like-minded wife he will choose.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 176–177Lady Teazle is moved by her husband's tenderness and resolves fidelity.read · scan
- p. 187–188Sir Peter moves to reconcile with Lady Teazle and hopes they may be a happy couple despite ridicule.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 305–307Boasts of a wife of his own, sharing her with nobody.read · scan
- p. 344–345John Anderson and his wife grow old together; suitor disregards the bride's kin and money for marriage.read · scan
- p. 347–349Married life with Meg; the couple live and love happily, whatever others see.read · scan
- p. 443–445The husband will bear the world's care gladly with his dear wee wife.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 384–386Tell asks the herdsman to console his wife if he perishes.read · scan
- p. 386–387Gertrude notices her husband's sorrow and claims her share of his cares as faithful wife.read · scan
- p. 387–391Husband and wife's mutual devotion; he leaves her the household and hospitality to pilgrims.read · scan
- p. 453–456Tell asks that his anxious wife be told he is safe.read · scan
Samuel Rogers, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 582–583Lucy at her wheel and the church where marriage vows were given evoke domestic married life.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 69Rapunzel bears twins in the desert, and the couple live happily together in his kingdom.read · scan
- p. 117–118Marriage, birth of a son, and the King's mother caring for the Queen.read · scan
- p. 135Marriage of the King to the mute maiden; she works for her brothers.read · scan
- p. 139–140Marriage celebrated; they live contented to the end of their days.read · scan
- p. 161Dummling marries the princess, inherits the kingdom, and lives contentedly with his wife.read · scan
- p. 166The tale closes in marriage and a lifelong happy union.read · scan
- p. 180–181The King dismisses his wife but she wins him back by taking him as her dearest possession; marriage is restored.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 448Scott leaves his dying wife at Abbotsford to work in Edinburgh.read · scan
- p. 449Scott's anguish at parting from his gravely ill wife, and daughter Anne's reports.read · scan
George Long, M. Aurelius AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 305Antoninus loved Faustina, defended her against scandal; Pius likewise devoted to his wife.read · scan
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, MontaigneVol. 32
- p. 108Married past thirty to an estimable woman, his companion for twenty-eight years.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 116Their long friendship led to marriage; ties with her husband's family.read · scan
- p. 141–143Relation with Mrs. Taylor, still married, kept so as not to discredit her husband.read · scan
- p. 147–149Mill's marriage to his friend after her husband's death; a partnership of entire existence and grief at its loss.read · scan
- p. 149Mill describes his marriage and prior friendship with his wife as an intellectual partnership in which their writings were joint products.read · scan
Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Contagiousness of Puerperal FeverVol. 38
- p. 231Blundell would rather his own loved ones be delivered in a stable than exposed to the infection.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1087Andrea del Sarto pleads with his wife Lucrezia for quiet marital companionship and promises to earn money for her.read · scan
- p. 1087Andrea returned to Lucrezia, trading kingly France for her heart, and hopes she will sit with him and be pleased.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 339–341Captain's recent marriage explains his eagerness to return home.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 150A wife should know what her husband knows so as to sympathize with and help him.read · scan
4b.The husband's headship and the wife's subjection
See also: Duty 7b
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 17–18Penelope weeps for her lost husband; Telemachus asserts lordship in his house and sends his mother to her loom.read · scan
- p. 293–294Telemachus asserts his lordship over the house and sends Penelope to her chamber and housewifery, while she keeps his words in her heart and mourns Odysseus.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 769–770A wife should honor in-laws and husband: rise before them, eat and sleep after serving them, treat them as fire and divinities.read · scan
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 504Hierarchy of man and woman: man head of woman, woman made from and for man, yet interdependent in the Lord.read · scan
- p. 509–510Women are to keep silence in church, be subject, and ask their husbands at home.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 149–150Monica serves her choleric, unfaithful husband and advises wives to treat marriage writings as indentures; she wins her mother-in-law by patient meekness.read · scan
- p. 157–158Wife patiently obedient to her husband, winning him to God; prayer that she rest in peace.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 969–970Rules on treating wives fairly, not taking back gifts, and prohibited degrees of marriage relatives.read · scan
- p. 970–971Marriage rules for believing maidens, husbands' authority over wives, admonition of disobedient wives, inheritance and arbitration between spouses.read · scan
- p. 992Prophet is rebuked for forbidding himself what is lawful to please his wives.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 12–13The cock advises the husband to beat his wife until she repents; the wife submits and the household lives happily.read · scan
- p. 177He imagines a marriage in which the bride stands humbled before him.read · scan
- p. 177He imagines humiliating his bride and scorning her mother's pleas.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 43The cock reigns in his household like a prince.read · scan
William Caxton, Prefaces and EpiloguesVol. 39
- p. 9Caxton praises English women as wise, chaste, obedient to husbands and never idle, defending them against Socrates's sayings.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 183The eldest rules the family; wives serve husbands and children serve parents.read · scan
- p. 210Wives commend themselves to husbands by honest conduct and lowliness; magistrates called fathers.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 325Husband commands wife to entertain his friend in his absence; she obeys against her will, showing marital obedience.read · scan
Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldVol. 33
- p. 213Women are described as obedient and serviceable to their husbands.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 396He instructs his wife that a priest's wife takes no precedence; she answers with meek, cheerful humility.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 80–81Marriage of Polyeucte and Pauline: she pleads for trust, complains of a wife's dependency on man.read · scan
- p. 111–115Polyeucte, as husband, resigns Pauline to Severus's care and asks him to guide her to Christ.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 155–165Eve recounts her creation from Adam's flesh, her conjugal surrender, and her destiny as mother of the human race.read · scan
- p. 165–170Adam and Eve's marital relation: Eve obeys her husband unargued, and he is her guide.read · scan
- p. 292God rebukes Adam for yielding his headship to Eve: she was made to attract love, not subjection.read · scan
- p. 292Woman is made to submit to her husband's rule; God as Father of his family clothes them.read · scan
- p. 319Michael tells Eve her husband's presence is her native soil; she is bound to follow him.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Chorus laments faithless wives and praises the rare virtuous domestic wife; says God's law gives husband despotic power over wife.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 192A peasant husband threatens his wife with a beating over the household's cows and bargaining.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 346Husband's right to sell the wife is retained; children of felons may have healthy conscience.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 298–301The State must guard against abuse of power in family relations: husbands' despotic power over wives, and parents' absolute control over children.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 143–144Marriage is the seal of untiring service; wifely subjection reconciled with the woman's guiding role.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 183–184Milton's divorce treatises, born of his marriage, assert the rights of the man; woman was created for man and must not usurp authority.read · scan
- p. 185–186Milton's marital conduct: overweening masculine pride, yet he received his wife and her relations back with Christian patience.read · scan
4c.The controversy over equality of husband and wife
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 233–234Terentia, ambitious and meddling in public affairs, urges her husband against the conspirators; his brother Quintus does likewise.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 11–12Wife insists on knowing the secret though it cost husband's life; he loves her, mother of his children.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 187Solomon's wife presses him for his secret and plans for their descendant.read · scan
William Caxton, Prefaces and EpiloguesVol. 39
- p. 9–11Disciples object about good mothers and sisters; Socrates says all are alike in malice.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 57–58Sancho doubts his wife could be a queen, fitter to be a countess, and leaves without farewell.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 257Adam praises wedded harmony and union of mind over mere procreation; Raphael says honour and love the mate without subjection.read · scan
- p. 278Eve considers whether to share the fruit with Adam, hoping to be his equal or superior and fearing he would wed another.read · scan
Daniel Defoe, The Education of WomenVol. 27
- p. 150–151Men should take women as companions rather than stewards, cooks and slaves of the household.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 474–476Comic dispute between husband and wife over obedience versus equality in marriage.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 387Gertrude, as wife, asks to share her husband's cares and offers counsel drawn from her father's household.read · scan
- p. 387Gertrude as wife draws out and shapes her husband's resolve.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 444Don Ferrante grants his wife household rule but refuses to be her slave, insisting on his own judgment.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 97The queen discovers her husband's low birth and asks her father to rid her of him.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, A Defence of PoetryVol. 27
- p. 347–348Chivalric love improved understanding of the relation of the sexes, recognizing diversity without inequality of powers.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 105Mill honours St. Simonians for boldly treating the family, the most important institution, and for proclaiming equality of men and women.read · scan
- p. 151Equality in domestic relations between men and women, and his wife's teaching about the consequences of women's inferior position.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1087Blames his beautiful but mindless wife for not urging him toward glory.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 136–137Woman as helpmate to man, not shadow or slave; her sway extends over her household.read · scan
- p. 142–143Questions the common view of marriage in which the man is always the wiser ruler.read · scan
- p. 148–149Women's misguided religious zeal disturbs the home and alienates husbands.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 201–202Eve recalls her awakening and being led to Adam as future mother of the human race.read · scan
- p. 203Eve as 'mother of all living'; Adam yields to his wife and bores her with sermons.read · scan
4d.The faithful and devoted wife
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 64–65Penelope laments her lost husband and departed son and turns to Laertes to protect the line of Odysseus.read · scan
- p. 112–113Parents give every man a name at birth; the simile of the wife mourning her husband and children facing bondage.read · scan
- p. 147Odysseus's wife is wooed by proud men devouring his house; he will avenge their violence.read · scan
- p. 182Penelope weeps nightly for her husband.read · scan
- p. 183He prays to live and bring his son to manhood; Penelope keeps faith.read · scan
- p. 184Telemachus seeks news of his father; wife and son will not know Odysseus.read · scan
- p. 216Penelope waits patiently, weeping through nights and days, in Telemachus' halls.read · scan
- p. 240–241Penelope longs for news of her husband Odysseus and summons the stranger to ask about him.read · scan
- p. 241–242Penelope longs for Odysseus's return to protect his house and son.read · scan
- p. 249–250Penelope wishes to counsel her son Telemachus, and longs for her absent husband; her nurse notes the son's coming manhood.read · scan
- p. 250Penelope longs for her lord and rebukes her son Telemachus for letting a guest be mistreated.read · scan
- p. 272A wife mourns her husband's long absence and retires to her lonely marriage bed.read · scan
- p. 274–275Fidelity of a wife to her absent husband; orphaned maidens and marriage.read · scan
- p. 284–285The bow is kept as a memorial of a dear guest, and Penelope grieves for her absent husband.read · scan
- p. 310–311Penelope longs for her husband and the nurse announces his return and his rescue of house and son.read · scan
- p. 311Eurycleia urges Penelope to join her restored husband and son; Penelope fears he is lost.read · scan
- p. 312Telemachus rebukes his mother for coldness to the husband returned after twenty years.read · scan
- p. 312–313Penelope, amazed, cannot speak to her husband; Telemachus defers to his father's counsel.read · scan
- p. 323Penelope's faithfulness to her absent husband and her shroud for Laertes; Telemachus aids his father.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 23–24Each home mourns its lost husband and son sent to war.read · scan
- p. 29–30Clytemnestra professes to be a faithful wife awaiting her husband, guarding the house like a watch-dog.read · scan
- p. 38–39Clytemnestra professes a wife's love and suffering; Orestes, pledge of marriage, is kept away in Phocis.read · scan
- p. 40–41Clytemnestra greets her husband with extravagant marital similes, feigning devotion.read · scan
- p. 41–43Clytemnestra flatters the husband's return to hearth as warmth in winter, coolness in summer.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 693–694She marries, bears four sons, and devotes herself to her husband.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 117Creusa begs Aeneas not to abandon wife, father and son; he shoulders Anchises and leads Ascanius, bound to protect his household.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 26Wife and child aid the supplication; friends send his family away.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 315–316Calpurnia weeps and begs her husband Caesar not to leave the house, out of fear for him.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 362Octavia, Antony's wife, seeks to join him; Caesar's consent is a pretext for war against Antony.read · scan
- p. 366Octavia leaves Antony's house weeping with his children, grieving to be a cause of the war.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 243Wifely devotion: Arria attends her captive husband and speaks of harmony in their marriage.read · scan
- p. 291A wife judges her husband's ulcer incurable and dies with him, leading by example.read · scan
- p. 305–307Fannia follows her husband into exile; wife and daughter of famous men.read · scan
- p. 327Bequests to daughter and wife; marriage and a wife's unwearied devotion to an infirm husband.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 342–344Wife warns husband; brothers bound by given word to follow one another.read · scan
- p. 344–345Wives Kostbera and Glaumvor try to keep their husbands from the journey.read · scan
- p. 345–346Household weeps at their departure; wives try to hold them back.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 112–114Willie sends his service to wife and children before rescue.read · scan
- p. 170–172The knight's wife rides to the greenwood to beg Robin to save her husband from shameful death.read · scan
George Gascoigne, A Lover's LullabyVol. 40
- p. 195–196Faithful wife without debate; a household of continuance.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 324Portrays a good wife's devotion to her husband and household, and the folly of endangering marriage.read · scan
- p. 327–328Camilla writes to recall her husband; a wife should not be without husband, and she considers returning to her father.read · scan
- p. 338Camilla professes loyalty owed to her husband; Anselmo would bury his own infamy.read · scan
- p. 340She speaks of her husband as one whom Heaven gave her, and of her marital fidelity.read · scan
- p. 357Lucinda asserts marital fidelity to her true spouse against Fernando's pursuit.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 471–474Jane and the shoemakers plead that a newly married couple not be parted by conscription.read · scan
- p. 474–475Margery and Hodge plead that pressing a man within a year of marriage is unjust to his young wife.read · scan
- p. 475Ralph and Jane part in grief; he gives her handmade shoes to remember him and pray for his return.read · scan
- p. 498–500Ralph anxiously asks after his wife Jane, who left Margery's house after being chided.read · scan
- p. 505Jane declares her heart is her husband's due, preferring to be his wife however poor.read · scan
- p. 505Jane holds to marriage vows to Ralph, pressed to the wars, rather than be a king's whore.read · scan
- p. 511–512Ralph realizes the bride may be his lost wife, Jane.read · scan
- p. 512Ralph resolves to recover his wife Jane from the bride's wedding, by the old shoe.read · scan
- p. 521–522Ralph, returned lame from war, reclaims his wife Jane from Hammon; she recognizes her husband and embraces him.read · scan
- p. 522–523Jane chooses her husband over wealthy Hammon; Ralph refuses to sell his wife for gold.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 99Pauline vows to remain faithful to her husband Polyeucte despite his conversion, torn between wifely bond and her father's wrath.read · scan
- p. 111Pauline reproaches her husband for leaving her, though bound by her vows.read · scan
- p. 123Felix kneels to plead that his daughter cannot die with Polyeucte; Pauline vows to follow her husband.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 260Adam resolves through love to perish with Eve and they fall to mutual blame.read · scan
- p. 319Adam and Eve face exile together as husband and wife; Eve mourns her lost home.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 167–169The second part tells of Christian's wife and children setting out on pilgrimage.read · scan
- p. 179–180Christiana and her four sons, at first unpersuaded by Christian's tears, have second thoughts and follow him on pilgrimage.read · scan
- p. 184–185She goes after her husband, taking her unwilling-to-stay children with her.read · scan
William Cowper, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 552–554Mistress Gilpin pays the boy to bring back her husband safe.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 120The King seeks wife and child for seven years; the son knows no earthly father; the family is reunited.read · scan
- p. 188The betrothed weeps while her sisters mock her; she stays silent and faithful.read · scan
- p. 189The faithful youngest daughter is united with her betrothed, while her vain elder sisters despair.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, HeroismVol. 5
- p. 121Husband and wife part with tender fidelity before death.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 248–249Narrator relieved by news from home; the married carpenter grieves at getting no letter from his wife.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 138–139Households in Winter's Tale and Cymbeline are saved by wives; Coriolanus by his mother's counsel.read · scan
- p. 141–142Andromache, Penelope, Antigone and Alcestis exemplify the devoted wife, mother, sister and daughter.read · scan
4e.The shrewish wife and the henpecked husband
See also: Desire 2a
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 29Man's two wives, old and young, each pluck his hair to suit herself and leave him bald.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 133Cicero recounts Quintus's quarrelsome marriage with Pomponia, her ill temper at lunch and refusal to sleep with him.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 241Terentia's jealous temper drives Cicero to testify against Clodius; Clodius's alleged incest with his sisters is charged.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 329Antony marries domineering Fulvia, who governs him; his playful trick on her shows affection.read · scan
- p. 344Fulvia's quarrels, her death, and Antony shifting blame onto her.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 992–993Prophet's quarrel with his wives over a betrayed confidence, divorce threat, and warning to save families from the fire.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 189–190The tailor's wife demands amusement and threatens separation if he refuses to go out with her.read · scan
The Voyages to VinlandVol. 43
- p. 17Freydis goads her husband Thorvard, threatening to leave him unless he avenges her shame.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 334–335Quarrels among the women; Brynhild recalls her father's home and her brother Atli's role in her wooing.read · scan
- p. 352–353Marriage by kin's counsel, dowry, and quarrels between husband and wife and kin fighting kin are recalled in the dying dispute.read · scan
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales; The Nun's Priest's TaleVol. 40
- p. 34Wife berates husband over his manliness and what wives desire in husbands.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 86–87Husband and wife quarrel comically over household chores and make a pact of silence, testing marital stubbornness.read · scan
- p. 87–89Husband and wife bicker over the door; the wife wins when the husband breaks the pact by speaking first.read · scan
Balow; The Old Cloak; Jolly Good Ale and OldVol. 40
- p. 188–190A long marriage of forty-four years, nine or ten children raised in the fear of God; husband and wife bicker, and he yields to keep peace.read · scan
- p. 190–192His wife chides him but is herself a fellow ale-lover.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 281–283Goneril speaks of her husband as cowish and of giving him the distaff, transferring the roles of husband and wife.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 480–482Margery and Eyre bicker over household management and hiring.read · scan
- p. 487–489Quarrel between husband and wife Margery over servants and the household.read · scan
- p. 490–491Margery admires her husband in his finery, and Firk jokes about her shrewishness.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 281Adam and Eve quarrel and blame one another, she questioning his headship for having let her go.read · scan
- p. 304Adam bitterly repels Eve, blaming her vanity and wandering for the fall.read · scan
Molière, Tartuffe, or The HypocriteVol. 26
- p. 266–269Husband and wife quarrel over his blind trust in Tartuffe.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 182–185Oberon and Titania joke about marriage, quarrelling spouses and separation.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 128–129Husband and wife quarrel over authority, extravagance and her humble origins; Sir Peter says the old bachelor's marriage carries its own punishment.read · scan
- p. 129–130Sir Peter reproaches Lady Teazle with what he has done for her by marriage; she resents his thwarting her; they trade barbs including wishing him dead.read · scan
- p. 130–131Sir Peter finds perverse satisfaction in quarrelling with his wife, who shows contempt for his authority.read · scan
- p. 135–137Sir Benjamin offers to tell Lady Teazle scandalous stories of her husband.read · scan
- p. 138–139Sir Peter's new marriage to a young country wife is rallied; his prejudice against his nephew Charles is fed by jealousy.read · scan
- p. 145–146Guardian's authority over Maria, and Sir Peter's marriage to Lady Teazle, who wheedles money and quarrels with him.read · scan
- p. 146–148Sir Peter and Lady Teazle bicker comically, recalling courtship and the mismatch of an old bachelor and young wife.read · scan
- p. 148–149Quarrelling spouses regret their marriage, threaten separation or divorce, and Sir Peter suspects Lady Teazle with Charles.read · scan
- p. 169–170Sir Peter provides marriage settlements for his wife to end quarrels, and speaks of his ward Charles's supposed betrayal of a guardian's hospitality.read · scan
- p. 186–187Sir Peter and Lady Teazle's marriage: his wounded pride, mortification, and reluctant move toward reconciliation with his weeping wife.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 323–325Curses the man enslaved by a tyrant wife; harsh view of marriage and household mastery.read · scan
- p. 388–389Sulky wife Kate awaits her drunken husband; husbands despise wives' sage advice.read · scan
- p. 430–432Comic quarrel of husband and thriftless wife who breaks her rock over his head.read · scan
- p. 432–434Willie Wastle's ill-matched shrewish wife, comically described.read · scan
- p. 434–436Comic portrait of Willie's hideous wife; Lady Mary Ann's plan to marry her boy; a carl's plaguing wife.read · scan
- p. 436–437A shrewish wife makes marriage hell; even the Devil pities the husband and returns her.read · scan
- p. 437–439Devil says he never knew hell until he met a wife; aged husband and wife trade complaints of waning vigor.read · scan
- p. 476–478Husband and wife's comic quarrel continues, with threats of haunting and remarriage.read · scan
- p. 514–516Comic complaints of a shrewish wife and marriage as 'pains o' hell on earth'; women must not have all their will.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 83–84Husband reluctantly yields to his domineering wife, who wills otherwise than he.read · scan
- p. 84–85The husband knows it is not right but yields to his wife's insistence.read · scan
- p. 85–86The husband is unhappy and objects but is overborne by his wife.read · scan
- p. 86–87She scorns her husband as nothing but her husband and forces him to go.read · scan
- p. 88–89She again bullies her husband, who goes trembling.read · scan
- p. 89–90Husband and wife conflict: she bullies him and he kneels, pleading, before her demands.read · scan
- p. 123Husband Hans sends his wife to work and later shuts her out of the house; a comic marriage.read · scan
- p. 195The husband spares his wife the promised beating.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel PepysVol. 28
- p. 288Pepys destroys his wife's written complaints against him yet records the deed; he also keeps ties with his father's memory and the Turners.read · scan
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