Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Question from Donna - Self-esteem, shyness, etc.

In Tudor times, did some people have self-esteem issues, shyness/social anxiety, and/or compare themselves to others? It would actually seem to me that that would not have been so, in "simpler times" in which there was no advertising, technology, cameras, (the camera "adds ten pounds" phrase didn't exist) or media/social media. Life wasn't perfect back then, but at least, in a way, everyone seemed actually more socially accepting of different body types.

12 comments:

Nicole said...

To answer your question, Donna, yes, people will always be people, and that would’ve included some who were shyer and had lower self-esteem, even back centuries ago. I’ve had actually had it in mind to write a story set in 14th century England, about a shy and timid squire/knight, who over the course of the story eventually overcomes his shyness and gradually becomes braver and more assertive. That’s just my wacky idea I had to share.

John said...

Sounds like a great idea, Nicole. As a male myself, it fascinates me that you're making the male hero shy and timid, for once, rather than the classic, cliche' female heroine. (Fighting back against gendered behaviors and double standards, am I right)?

Donna said...

Absolutely yes! Thanks guys for responding to my question.

Anonymous said...

I agree, the idea of a shy, timid knight might sound anachronistic, but it really isn’t. Writing a story, and getting it published, about that, is no more “anachronistic” than making up a story about an anorexic or bulimic knight, a good, saintly knight, or an evil, villainous knight, or any other kind of knight! You should be able to write about what you want to, and make the characters any way you want.

Anonymous said...

Would it be okay for me to write a story about an anorexic medieval knight, set in 14th century England, or would it be too “anachronistic”? In my story, ever since childhood, when he was just a page, his elders have been obsessed with/watched his weight. They fat-shamed him, warned him about “gluttony”, and getting fat/gaining too much weight, only allowed him “certain foods”, mostly only bland meals, and when he becomes a squire, he starts dieting, starves himself, and deprives himself of desserts. He is 6’3”, and weighs only 100 lbs. by his 21st birthday, in which he becomes a knight. So, would I be writing a pretty good story, or would I just be imposing modern day issues on historical society? Somebody please comment and tell me your thoughts.

Howard said...

Hey anonymous, if you want to write a story like that, then heck, go for it! Eating disorders have existed for centuries and centuries. I personally think the part where the adults in his life fat-shame him, and put him on strict diets, in his childhood, and the motivation for why he develops anorexia, as a teenager, may be a little far-fetched, but other than that, no I wouldn’t say you’d be imposing modern issues on the past, but rather, if this is your (eccentric, odd) way of trying to raise more awareness on the issue, then that’s totally fine. Some men can develop eating disorders, too, and have a bad body image. Nobody in my family has really talked about it, but, my great-grandfather after (or maybe even during) his time serving in the trenches in WW1, became anorexic, and also munched on/swallowed some small inedible, non-food objects, too. My grandfather, seemed unfortunately to have taken after his father, and post WW2, had bulimia and often binged-ate, in secret.
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Just your average historian said...

I can’t really say specifically about “Tudor”, but my ancestry goes back a long ways on these issues. My wealthy Ancient Rome ancestor was going to become an emperor, (but didn’t) the problem was, he was so shy, timid, and introverted, that he would often stay hidden in his room, and wait/stay up until nighttime, and sometimes even after (modern day) midnight, just so he could come out and have some piece and quiet to himself. We all know how communal and non-private Ancient Rome was, the only people he wasn’t afraid to/could stand to be around more, were his slaves. In Anglo-Saxon England, I have an ancestor who was too shy and scared to “discipline” his own wife. (Modern day values don’t agree with this, but) he was “henpecked”, and his wife was definitely the more outspoken, assertive, and unabashed of the two! Further up, my great-great-grandfather, and my great-grandfather from WW1 and WW2 also had eating disorders. Unfortunately, though, after WW1 my great-great grandfather was put in a mental hospital for having anorexia, and my great-grandfather, after discovering he suffered from bulimia, was lobotomized, he, for sure, was never the same after!

Jill said...

Wow! To both Howard and Just Your Average Historian, that’s so cool about your ancestry! Wish I could find out about my ancestors as easily as you guys did!

Jill said...

Also, I like to say, that pretty much from ancient times, up to the early 20th century, people/society really didn’t used to worry about “carrying a few extra pounds” / being “a little overweight”. In fact it seems that part of the reason (not all of it) that suddenly, thinness became more ideal, and was/is now associated with/used as a “status symbol” was when the model Twiggy came along. Also, I think it was because it was “easier” to be/stay skinny, centuries, or decades ago, and that less people were overweight. Absolutely in aristocratic families, being a little portlier/plumper was their “status symbol” for showing off how well-off they were. Now obesity was a different story, but having a wife, and/or even servants who had “reasonably portly/plump” bodies, would’ve reflected back to the lord/the man of the house, so that he could have a way to show off how rich, or “healthy” he was.

Jessica said...

Argue with me, if I’m wrong, but personally I think, even centuries ago, that the people (women and men) who were a king/queen’s courtiers, a king’s mistress, or prostitutes were more likely to, (or even though most actually didn’t) to have had mental health issues, eating disorders, substance/drug abuse; etc., or at least it wouldn’t be as surprising, if unfortunately, some did. Sort of like the modern day equivalent of celebrities or runway/catwalk/fashion models. Because, again, even if some don’t suffer from any mental health issues, jobs and statuses where “keeping up appearances” per say, is more highly emphasized, it’s not as shocking to hear about it if they have self-esteem and mental health issues.

Matthew said...

Speaking as a historical costume reenact-or, this was my experience. I was set to play the role of the audacious con man Colonel Thomas Blood (the man who stole the crown jewels) on stage, this was back in the ‘90s. Well when I tried to fit my costume, I couldn’t get into it, it wasn’t that I was even fat/overweight, I was just naturally muscular/buff. My BMI even said that I was “overweight”, because muscle actually weighs more than fat. When I told the people in charge of making the costumes about the issue, instead of trying to accommodate to my body type, they told me I was “fat” and forced me to starve myself and diet, until I could fit the costume! So, unfortunately, yes I did, and by the time the costume finally fit me, I had lost so much weight that my skin was really pale, and I almost looked anorexic! When I appeared on the stage, I passed out before I could even say something and was taken to the ER. Luckily, I recovered and I went on to gain back the weight I lost and started loving myself just for who I am. It really made me feel more sorry for all the women/girls who went through the same body-shaming I did.

Jessica said...

Wow! As a girl, reading your story and finally opening up about your incident, Matthew, made me feel rather sad for you. That’s more proof right there that guys can sometimes go through some of the same issues as us girls. Also, (not shaming anyone, here) but you would think that if someone wanted a man to play a criminal, they would want him to be more buff and muscular, lol! And not so lanky and skinny that he looks as if he could pass out on camera/stage. Anyways, wish the best for you.😊