Women mistaken for men, men mistaken for women, disguised as men - this play with identity and gender does not seem to be a new topic for the theatre audience of the 21. century.
But in Elizabethan England, where identity and the question of class were very important for society, these confusing relationships shown on stage must have been puzzling.
Although confusions over identity are nothing new in comedy since classical times, it is Shakespeare who mainly focused on the issue of gender in his comedies. In 'Twelfth Night' he plays with the cultural constructions of his time, for example the question of gender and erotic attraction, even between partners of the same sex.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Definition of Gender
- Cross-dressing
- Marriage
- The two contrasting women
- Petrarch's influence
- The female perspective
- The male perspective
- Same sex love in Twelfth Night
- The ideal of male friendship
- Orsino and Viola
- Olivia and Sebastian
- Antonio and Sebastian
- The solution in legal marriage
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the transgression of gender in Shakespeare's comedy "Twelfth Night" by examining the play's portrayal of cross-dressing, same-sex relationships, and the contrasting perspectives of women and men on gender roles in Elizabethan England. The paper seeks to understand the cultural constructions of gender and sexuality prevalent in the late 16th century and how Shakespeare uses these concepts to explore the complexities of identity and societal expectations.
- The cultural construction of gender and its impact on societal norms
- The role of cross-dressing and its implications for gender identity and social order
- The representation of same-sex relationships and their significance in understanding Elizabethan views on sexuality
- The contrasting perspectives of women and men on gender roles and expectations
- Shakespeare's use of unconventional characters and themes to explore social and cultural tensions
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction establishes the context of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and its exploration of gender transgression in Elizabethan England. It highlights the historical and cultural background of the play, discussing the importance of identity and class in Elizabethan society. The second chapter delves into the definition of gender in the Elizabethan era, exploring the prevailing understanding of male and female roles, as well as the concept of cross-dressing and its societal implications.
The third chapter examines the contrasting perspectives of women and men in Twelfth Night, analyzing how the female characters perceive themselves and how the male characters depict them. The chapter seeks to determine if the women in the play conform to the expectations of men and Renaissance standards.
Chapter four delves into the representation of same-sex relationships in the play, exploring the significance of these relationships in understanding Elizabethan views on gender and relationships. The chapter examines the ideal of male friendship and analyzes the dynamics of the relationships between Orsino and Viola, Olivia and Sebastian, and Antonio and Sebastian.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include gender transgression, cross-dressing, same-sex relationships, Elizabethan society, cultural constructions of gender, societal expectations, Renaissance standards, and Shakespearean comedy.
- Quote paper
- Annika Bolten (Author), 2010, The transgression of Gender in Shakespeare's Comedy 'Twelfth Night', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/203879
