Compared to other writers of his time, Shakespeare introduced an extraordinary amount of deep female characters in his plays. Because Shakespeare lived in a time when men played the major part in society and the role of women was basically limited to the household, one could easily come to the opinion that he was a reformer whose views were ahead of the Elizabethan times 1 .
But is this really true? Does Shakespeare criticize the society he lives in by creating these characters, or do they just serve their purpose to make the plays more dramatic? In this paper, I will first give an overview of the role of women in the Elizabethan age and society. After that I will analyse the female characters of three plays we discussed in the course in order to find out if Shakespeare’s views on women diverged from the general view of his time.
Table of Contents
A Introduction
B Main Part
1. Women and Society in Shakespeare’s times
2. Three theses
3. Discussion of the plays
3.1. The Comedy of Errors
3.2. Twelfth Night
3.3. Measure for Measure
C Summary
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the representation of female characters in selected Shakespearean comedies to determine whether his portrayals challenged or reinforced the traditional gender roles of the Elizabethan era. By analyzing the sociopolitical context of the time and applying three distinct literary theses, the author investigates how Shakespeare navigated the tension between contemporary patriarchal structures and emerging notions of female agency.
- Role and status of women in Elizabethan society
- Application of diverse critical theories to Shakespearean female characters
- Ambiguity of gender roles in The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, and Measure for Measure
- Shakespeare's role as a potential social reformer vs. observer of contemporary changes
Excerpt from the Book
1. Women and society in Shakespeare’s time
In the Elizabethan age, women had a lower status than men. This view was founded on the tenets of bible, especially on quotations from the Apostle Paul’s letters:
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. … 8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
1 Timothy 2:11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Summary of Chapters
A Introduction: Outlines the scope of the paper, questioning whether Shakespeare's complex female characters serve as a critique of Elizabethan societal norms or merely as dramatic tools.
B Main Part: Provides the historical background on gender status in the Elizabethan age and analyzes three selected comedies through different scholarly lenses.
1. Women and Society in Shakespeare’s times: Examines the biblical and social foundations of female subordination and the limited freedoms women experienced during the Renaissance.
2. Three theses: Introduces three contrasting academic perspectives on how Shakespeare utilized female characters to manipulate dramatic tension and question power structures.
3. Discussion of the plays: Analyzes the specific portrayals of female independence and traditional compliance in The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, and Measure for Measure.
3.1. The Comedy of Errors: Explores the conflict between Adriana's desire for autonomy and the societal expectation of marriage.
3.2. Twelfth Night: Discusses the ambiguity of Viola’s character and Olivia’s unconventional behavior in the context of traditional romantic expectations.
3.3. Measure for Measure: Evaluates Isabella’s development and her complex struggle between personal agency and the suppression of her sexuality.
C Summary: Concludes that while Shakespeare remained rooted in the Elizabethan worldview, his work acknowledged and reflected the era's evolving gender tensions.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Elizabethan era, female characters, gender roles, patriarchy, literary analysis, The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, marriage, agency, social hierarchy, Renaissance, drama, biblical tenets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper explores the representation of women in selected Shakespearean comedies and analyzes whether these portrayals challenge or align with the social norms of the Elizabethan period.
Which plays are specifically discussed in the study?
The author conducts a comparative analysis of three plays: The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, and Measure for Measure.
What is the primary research question?
The study aims to determine if Shakespeare’s views on women diverged from the general consensus of his time or if he used female characters primarily to increase dramatic impact.
What methodological approach does the author use?
The paper uses secondary literature to establish three "converse theses" regarding female roles, which are then applied to the characters within the selected plays.
How does the main body address the historical context?
It provides an overview of the status of women in the Elizabethan age, heavily emphasizing the influence of biblical passages on the social, economic, and domestic inferiority of women.
What are the key conclusions regarding Shakespeare's role?
The author concludes that Shakespeare was likely not a radical reformer but rather an observant dramatist who acknowledged and depicted the changing societal tensions of his time.
How does the paper interpret Isabella in Measure for Measure?
The author views Isabella as a character who moves from innocence to maturity but ultimately finds herself confined by traditional standards, even when the play provides an open-ended narrative.
What is the significance of the "Chain of Being" mentioned in the text?
It is cited to explain the traditional Christian philosophy of the time, which established a rigid hierarchy where men were placed above women, thus justifying domestic subordination.
- Quote paper
- Natascha Haas (Author), 2004, The (Mis?)-Representation of Women in Shakespeare's Comedies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/27218
