Most notably, the character of Noah's wife is given a very different role in the play than in the Bible. In the play, Noah's wife is given an image of some of the worst qualities (and sexist views) of women. She is an unceasing gossip who would rather be with her friends than her family. In the end, Noah and his sons have to drag her onto the ark, and even then, she is angry that Noah made her leave her friends (see lines 245-248 in the text of the play). In the Bible however, not much is said about her character as she was delegated to the more traditional tasks of helping her family. But even with her irritating personality portrayed in the play, it is said that she was one of the more popular characters and seen as extremely entertaining. Though, this could be seen as a sign of the sexist and misogynistic attitudes of the day. It is also very probable that the part of Noah's wife was played by a man, since the performers of these cycles were the guilds.
Return of the Dove to the Ark by John Everett Millais, 1851
Works cited:
"J. E. Millais." Gettysburg. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://public.gettysburg.edu/~sflynn/teaching/aesthetics/millais.html>.
Christe, By. "From Stage to Page ¤ Medieval & Renaissance Drama." University of Maine at Machias | Welcome to the University of Maine at Machias. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.umm.maine.edu/faculty/necastro/drama/chester/play_03.html>.
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