In this Master's thesis I will analyse unconventional depictions of sexuality in Shakespeare's "As You Like It", "Troilus and Cressida" and "Hamlet" with particular focus on the bard's way of dealing with homosexuality, infidelity and incest. Furthermore, I am going to explore modern responses and reactions to these aspects of these plays.
This will allow me to assess the continued relevance today of Shakespeare's depictions of sexuality and to identify similarities and differences between modern attitudes to and depictions of these matters and how they were viewed and depicted in the Elizabethan era.
The Master's thesis seeks to answer the following questions: What were conventional and unconventional depictions of sexuality in Shakespeare's time? How and in how far did Shakespeare break with these conventional depictions of sexuality in the exemplary plays and what do we do with these depictions in the turn of the 21st century?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Conventional and Unconventional Depictions of Sexuality in Shakespeare's Time
- As You Like It - Cross-Dressing and the Question of Homosexuality
- Homosexuals: Celia & Rosalind
- Pseudo-Homosexuals: Ganymede & Orlando
- Four Marriages: Heteronormativity Restored
- Troilus and Cressida - Cuckolds and Whores
- The Imagery of Helen
- Troilus and Cressida's Pre-Marital Relationship
- Cressida's Infidelity
- Hamlet-Uncles, Maids and Mothers
- Marrying Your Sister-In-Law
- Hamlet's Desires Part I: Ophelia
- Hamlet's Desires Part II: Gertrude
- Today's Depictions of Sexuality
- As You Like It
- Troilus and Cressida
- Hamlet
Objectives and Key Themes
This Master's thesis analyzes unconventional depictions of sexuality in Shakespeare's As You Like It, Troilus and Cressida and Hamlet with particular focus on the bard's way of dealing with homosexuality, infidelity and incest. The work examines modern responses and reactions to these aspects of the plays, allowing for an assessment of the continued relevance today of Shakespeare's depictions of sexuality. Key themes explored include:- Homosexuality and pseudo-homosexuality in Shakespeare's plays
- Infidelity and its consequences in Shakespeare's plays
- Incest and its exploration in Shakespeare's plays
- Comparison of Elizabethan and modern attitudes towards unconventional sexuality
- Continued relevance of Shakespeare's depictions of sexuality in the 21st century
Chapter Summaries
- The introduction explores the context of unconventional sexuality in Shakespeare's time, highlighting the moral values of the Elizabethan era and how Shakespeare's plays addressed these topics. It introduces the three plays under analysis - As You Like It, Troilus and Cressida, and Hamlet - and outlines the thesis's objectives.
- Chapter 2 provides a theoretical foundation for understanding sexuality in Shakespeare's time, discussing early modern perceptions of gender, heteronormativity, and the societal expectations surrounding marriage and pre-marital sex.
- Chapter 3 focuses on As You Like It, examining the portrayal of homosexuality and pseudo-homosexuality through relationships between Rosalind and Celia, Ganymede and Orlando, and Phoebe and Rosalind. It also explores the restoration of heteronormativity in the play's conclusion.
- Chapter 4 delves into Troilus and Cressida, analyzing the imagery of Helen, the pre-marital relationship between Troilus and Cressida, and Cressida's infidelity. It explores the play's portrayal of infidelity as a prevalent theme.
- Chapter 5 examines Hamlet, focusing on incestuous relationships between Gertrude and Claudius, Hamlet and Ophelia, and Hamlet and Gertrude. It explores Hamlet's desires and the play's complex portrayal of incest.
Keywords
The central keywords and focus topics of this Master's thesis include: sexuality, unconventional sexuality, Shakespeare, As You Like It, Troilus and Cressida, Hamlet, homosexuality, pseudo-homosexuality, infidelity, incest, heteronormativity, Elizabethan era, modern interpretations, contemporary relevance. This thesis explores the complex ways in which Shakespeare tackled unconventional forms of sexuality in his plays, challenging societal norms and raising questions that resonate with audiences today.- Quote paper
- Marie Sophie Jendrusch (Author), 2019, Unconventional Depictions of Sexuality in Shakespeare's Works, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1236064
