Objectification and Idolatry - "Walsingham" - Volume II

The objectification of Isabella by both Walsingham and Sir Sidney indicates that the objectification of women is a manifestation not only in the masculine psyche, but in that of the feminine as well. In other words, in one case, objectifying women is considered a trait that the masculine mind will automatically exercise upon women, and in the other, the feminine mind is more liable to be accepting of the objectification that is exercised upon it. This is clearly demonstrated in the actions of both Sir Sidney and Walsingham in their handling of Isabella. Not only is she repeatedly referred to as the “object” (or occasionally the “idol”) of affection, but she is treated as an object particularly by Sir Sidney, who uses her willingness to be treated as such, as a way of manipulating her to abandon Walsingham.

It is also interesting to note that Sir Sidney, who is actually a woman, but has been raised and educated as a man, uses the same language when referring to Walsingham, that Walsingham uses when referring to Isabella. In this sense, Sir Sidney objectifies Wasingham as the “object” or “idol” of his/her affection.  I would argue that neither Walsingham nor Sir Sidney feel genuine regard for Isabella (or in Sir Sidney’s case, for Walsingham), as they are both so willing to put those whom they claim to love in positions that will be certainly damaging to them both physically and emotionally. Walsingham cares much more that Sir Sidney will be the possessor of his object of affection and that he will be left alone, than he does for the plight of Isabella, who is used relentlessly to achieve the volition of others. And in the case of Sir Sidney, s/he is willing to condemn Walsingham to the obscurity that he would inevitably occupy in order to prevent him from marrying Isabella.