How Bellamira Is Not A Social Agent - 1677 Words

into consideration is that Bellamira is not a social agent that could freely take her earnings and live a happily ever after life. Although she uses her charms to seduce Ithamore, she is still obligated to submit to Pilia- Borza a man who has complete control of her. Similarly, to Abigail who is controlled by her father, Pilia-Borza is the male dominant figure that asserts his power over the decisions and body of Bellamira. Moreover, Pilia- Borza appears to be the only one to benefit from her sexual encounters. One specific example of Bellamira being used for her body is when she must do all the dirty work and take advantage of Ithamore. For example, this is seen in Bellamira’s and Ithamore conversation, which states. ITHAMORE. Take†¦show more content†¦Unfortunately, for Bellamira her body is used to fulfill the sexual desires of Ithamore, while Pilia-Borza does not have to sell his body, or even do anything. His job is simply to collect from the work of Bellamira. Thus, Marlowe suggests that a woman’s body and sensuality belongs to men because they are the ones that get to charge/ benefit from such transaction. Despite the fact that Marlowe allows for Bellamira to supposedly acquire a sense of agency by suggesting she is part of the scheme, she is actually not gaining anything. In order to calculate such loss, the reader needs to put into perspective the cost versus the benefits. Although her gain could be the money she stole from Ithamore, she is limited to what she could do because society rejects her. The reason why we know this is that the text informs the reader that women who are courtesans or prostitutes are negatively labeled. To start of, everyone seems to know who the se women are because they dress a certain way. This is seen when Ithamore states, â€Å" O, the sweetest face that evr I beheld! I know she is a courtesan by her attire. Now would I give a hundred of the Jew’s crowns that I had such a concubine† (Marlowe 28). This quote informs the reader that Bellamira is shunned by society because her occupation forces her to distinguish herself from all other ladies. Even if a woman believes she is successful because she is able to make her own money, she is still subjected to distinction and isolation.