Both Nell Gwyn and Anne Bracegirdle started out as lower class persons, but were able to portray and disorder the hierarchy of classes on stage (Castle-Smith 54). In this sense, theatre had a positive effect on the social classes of women because they opened possibilities of a less defined lower/middle class. However, to survive in theatre, each of these woman had to take on a public persona to please the male masses. Anne Bracegirdle was known for playing the virgin, while Nell Gwyn played the whore (4). By viewing their portraits we can create an idea of how they were viewed by the public.

Nell Gwyn

Nell Gwyn was a famous actress known for her overt display of sexuality. She was also closely associated with Charles II. On its own, the portrait exhibits her sexuality in a subtle coy way. Notice her suggestive gaze, flushed cheeks, and neckline that plunges just below her nipple. This portrait emphasizes how her sexual appeal was her defining asset.

 

 

Anne Bracegirdle

“Sullen: But does that Romantic Virgin still keep up her great reputation?

Critic: You mean her reputation for acting?

Sullen: I mean her reputation for not acting: you understand me –

                                               -From A Comparison Between Two Stages (1702)

                                                                                                                (Howe 36)

Anne Bracegirdle, on the other hand, was known for her chastity, but like Nell, this overshadowed her acting ability (Howe 35).  Howe expands on this idea but points out how people are more interested in her “acting” when denying sexual advances than her ability on stage (35). This reflects the sex-obsessed society that populated theatre audiences.

People were more interested in the actresses’ sex lives than their ability to act, discrediting their talents. Though we have improved in this regard, one can not help but think how we, as a modern day society, are also obsessed with attractive celebrities and their love lives. We would like to believe we have progressed from the closed minded sexist Restoration theatre, but we still have improvements to make as a society.