The Restoration period was a complex time for women to be involved in public theatre, but it was a progressive move by Charles II to include women in its restoration. Unfortunately, most potential headway for feminism was undermined by the patriarchal system. At first, actresses were more appreciated as props on stage than for their acting abilities, but that evolved until plays were being written specifically to make them the central characters. Women were objectified through their costumes, which hindered their images to be construed as anything but prostitutes. Public personas interfered with actresses’ personal lives and were demeaning to their talents. The male gaze sexualized female players and men preyed on their bodies. It is important to acknowledge here how the male gaze tarnished the acting careers for our earliest  English actress pioneers since we still have a tendency to do this today.