Though men can cover crimes with bold stern looks, poor women's faces are their own faults' books

Though men can cover crimes with bold stern looks, poor women's faces are their own faults' books

In the world of William Shakespeare, gender roles and societal expectations played a significant role in shaping the lives of men and women. The quote, “Though men can cover crimes with bold stern looks, poor women's faces are their own faults' books,” speaks to the double standards that existed during Shakespeare’s time, and unfortunately, continue to persist in modern society.

During the Elizabethan era, women were expected to be chaste, obedient, and virtuous. Any deviation from these expectations was met with harsh judgment and condemnation. Men, on the other hand, were often given more leeway when it came to their behavior. They could commit crimes and transgressions, but their actions were often overlooked or excused because of their gender.