start offering you better terms. He won’t want his rival to outbid him” (Turner, p. 42). So women began taking on a more independent role. Their fascination with money and prestige grew, and they wanted the attention of men, no matter what the cost. The role of women in society drastically began changing in the Middle Ages and a new way of thinking towards women developed. Not only did the role of women change, but also the role of the soldiers in the Middle Ages. The way that soldiers were perceived began to transform. In earlier times, soldiers were very prestigious and famous. However, during this time period, the prestige and fame of soldiers began to decline. They began to boast to others in order to bring some prestige back into their life, “When we started fighting, the Persian drew first blood with his spear-but it was merely a scratch, just above the knee. I replied by driving my pike straight through his shield and into his chest. Then I leapt on him, and without the slightest trouble sliced off his head with my sword” (Turner, p. 45). However, soldiers soon found that their boasts of great adventures disgusted people instead of intriguing them, “Ugh! Get away from me, Leontichus! What a horrible disgusting story! If you enjoy killing people as much as that, I never want to see you again, let alone have drinks with you, or go to bed with you! I won’t stay here a moment longer” (Turner, p. 45). Women began viewing soldiers with abhorrence rather than admiration, “What a disgusting brute you are! What are you doing on this street, hanging on that door” (Honig, p. 80). While women were gaining independence, soldiers were losing their fame and prominence. During the Middle Ages, the clergymen gained a whole new way of thinking. Clergymen gained a new secular way of thinking and outlook on life. Clergymen became outspoken and opinionated. They began marryi...
