The oath of the horatii shows the prevailing view of women at the time, namely that they were

I believe the correct answer is that prevailing view of women at the time was namely that they are tender-hearted women and vulnerable, depicted weeping and mourning for their husbands.

The “Oath of the Horatii” (“Le Serment des Horaces”) is a neoclassical painting by the French artist Jacques-Louis David painted in 1784. This painting presents a scene of dispute between warring cities Rome and Alba Longa, according to the Roman legend.  In this painting, the emphasis is on the importance of patriotism and masculine self-sacrifice for one's country, due which women are depicted as tender-hearted and vulnerable, mourning and weeping for their men going to war.

ladies at the time was in particular that they are gracious ladies and defenseless,  portrayed sobbing and grieving for their spouses.  

Explanation:

The "Vow of the Horatii" ("Le Serment des Horaces") is a  neoclassical painting by the French craftsman Jacques-Louis David painted in 1784.  This sketch displays a scene of debate between warring urban areas Rome and Alba  Longa, as per the Roman legend. In  this artwork, the accentuation is on the significance of patriotism and manly generosity  for one's nation, due which ladies are portrayed as gracious and  helpless, grieving and sobbing for their men doing battle.

the string with the finger instead of using the bow