ABSTRACT
Luis de León, an Augustinian friar, was one of the most celebrated theologians and poets of the Spanish Golden Age. Among his many works, The Perfect Wife was one of the most famous. Originally printed in 1583, there were already six editions by 1632. It remained a reference for all conservative Spaniards well into the twentieth century and was a traditional wedding gift in Spain as late as the Franco era (1939–1975). Luis de León wrote The Perfect Wife for his newly married niece although it was clearly intended to serve as a moral exposition on the proper duties and behaviour of all married women. Unsurprisingly, the work reveals a lot about common stereotypes and prejudices concerning the behaviour and emotions of women as well as male/social expectations. In the two chapters below, Fray Luis emphasized the need for married women to be even-tempered (apacible) and to control their emotions while he warns against the dangers of ‘fierce’ women who are not able to control their feelings.
