The Contradictions of Patriarchy in Early Modern England

This article argues that in order to develop an understanding of patriarchy as a dynamic historical force, we need to think about it as a social formation which, like capitalism, both shapes and is shaped by other aspects of society. Patriarchy embodies numerous contradictions. Those contradictions provide space for female agency, as well as possibilities of change. The ability of patriarchy to change and adapt, by moving through various contradictions, helps us understand the process by which patriarchal equilibrium is maintained. The contradictions are illustrated by an examination of the ways men and women failed at patriarchy in early modern England: as unruly wives and cuckolded husbands. Both men and women consistently fail in the performance of patriarchy, but these particular anxieties shed light on the specific ways patriarchy was connected to other social and political concerns. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.