The Role Of Morality In The Victorian Era

England’s Victorian Era began in 1837, during which Queen Victoria took the throne after her uncle, William IV, passed away. The Victorian Era lasted until 1901, the year of Queen Victoria’s death. However, the dates are sometimes modified due to the Romantic Period in Britain occurring closely in date to the Victorian Era. Nevertheless, the Victorian Era was a period of rapid change and developments in nearly all aspects of life. There were multiple advancements in technological, scientific, and medical knowledge, as well as changes in population growth. The era begins with much confidence that Britain would become the leading country in the world. Though it ultimately ended with uncertainty on how the country stood, many important events
However, the strong morals regarding sexual conduct was regarded very differently between the social classes of the era. In the upper and middle classes, women were expected to abstain from sexual relations before marriage. This rule was strictly enforced so that women would continue being seen as pure. On the other hand, it was more acceptable for the working class citizens to engage in sexual relations before marriage because they were never held to higher standards. Some other sexual relations would take place between men and servants or prostitutes, because the upper class girls would not break the norm of sexual behavior. Although the acceptance of sexual behavior differed between the social classes, their beliefs regarding matters of homosexuality were the same. It was considered immoral to be a homosexual at the time and since it was illegal at the time, the punishment that those accused of it faced was execution. However, the most famous men from the British Isles were notorious homosexuals, most famously being Oscar