Deception and female agency

She popped off ngl

Line 151 alludes to the biblical figure “Rebekke”. In what ways is she similar to May?

In short, Rebecca decieves her old, blind husband to secure the inheritance for her son. This reflects how Proserpine gifts May with the ability to decieve at the end of the tale so that Januarie does not revoke her access to the inheritance or kill her.

Why is May's use of wax to make the duplicate key so significant?

On line 218, Januarie says that his wife should be “right as men may warm wex with handes plye” and so the fact that the thing Januarie believes he can fully manipulate (the wax and May) ends up decieving him is deeply ironic

On line 1063, Proserpine describes men as being “as lewed as gees” - how does this link to May’s character?

Proserpine gives May the gift of negotiation once Pluto restores Januarie’s sight. This further establishes that in the confines of the tale men tend to be less intelligent than women and are thus susceptible to being deceived- a rule reflected perfectly in May and Januarie’s relationship.

Why is May’s epithet of “fresshe” ironic?

It is heavily implied that she was a prostitute before marrying Januarie thanks to her working class, lombardian background, very much not “fresshe” in the context of virginity. This also critiques men’s desires as unrealistic and flimsy as Januarie’s fantasy for a young, inexperienced women is fulfilled by somebody experienced who weaponises gendered stereotypes for her own gain in her marriage.