Ester Sowernam Explained

Ester Sowernam is the pseudonymous author of one of the first defences of women published in England and a participant in the Swetnam controversy of 1615–1620.^[1]

Her work, Ester Hath Hanged Haman: or an answere to a lewd pamphlet, entituled, the arraignment of women, with the arraignment of lewd, idle, froward, and unconstant men, and husbands (1617), was the second published response under a woman's name to Joseph Swetnam's misogynistic pamphlet The araignment of lewde, idle, froward and unconstant women (1615).^[2]

In Ester Hath Hanged Haman, Sowernam refutes Swetnam's claims, correcting the misattribution of the statement that women are a necessary evil to the Bible, and tracing it to Euripides Medea. She employs both secular and religious arguments to counter Swetnams accusations, incorporating Latin phrases, references to antiquity, biblical citations, and legal terminology to demonstrate women's capacity for mastering these subjects.

The only hint at Sowernams identity lies in the title page description, which reads "neither Maide, Wife, nor Widdowe; yet really all and therefore experienced to defend all." Her use of numerous classic allusions, Latin phrases, legal jargon, and biblical references suggests a high level of education.

Her pen name is inspired by the biblical figure Esther in the Old Testament of the Bible, a Jewish heroine who defended the Israelites against Haman the Agagite.

References

• ^[3] (includes excerpt)
• Susan Gushee O'Malley (ed.), 1996, The Early Modern Englishwoman: A Facsimile Library of Essential Works, Part 1: Printed Writings, 1500–1640, Volume 4, Defences of Women: Jane Anger, Rachel Speght, Ester Sowernam, and Constantia Munda, Scolar Press, 1996^[4] (complete text of Protection)
• "Worthy women", New York Times, Thursday, 8 January 1987.^[5]
• "In the Battle Of the Sexes, This Word Is a Weapon", New York Times, 25 July 1999^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ester hath hang'd Haman . 2022-09-18 . www.luminarium.org.
2. Book: Swetnam, Joseph. The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Forward, and Unconstant Women. 1707. Printed for B. Deacon. London. English. 225469697.
3. Book: Ferguson, Moira. First feminists: British women writers, 1578-1799. 1985. Indiana University Press; Feminist Press. 978-0-253-32213-5. Bloomington; Old Westbury, New York. English. 11234077.
4. Crane. Mary T.. 1998. Woods. Susanne. Sowernam. Ester. Travitsky. Betty S.. Cullen. Patrick. Cary. Elizabeth. Falkland. Lady. Ferguson. Margaret W.. Weller. Barry. Roth. Mary. Hageman. Elizabeth. Munda. Constantia. Women and the Early Modern Canon: Recent Editions of Works by English Women, 1500-1660. Renaissance Quarterly. 51. 3. 942–956. 10.2307/2901752. 2901752 . 164156543 . 0034-4338.
5. News: 8 January 1987. Worthy Women. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-09. 0362-4331.
6. News: Brockman. Elin Schoen. 25 July 1999. In the Battle Of the Sexes, This Word Is a Weapon. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-09. 0362-4331.