I want to start my thesis by briefly discussing one of the seminal works on historical gender studies, Thomas Laqueur’s "Making Sex". He argues that based on the publications of an old Greek physician named Galen, women and men were regarded as the same sex in Europe for about 2,000 years from the second century AD to circa 1800. He claims that male and female genitals were depicted and regarded as the same, with the only difference that the female genitalia were inside whereas the male genitalia were outside. Men and women were supposed to be different in degree but not in kind. Women were considered an imperfect version of men, since they were cooler, wetter, and more passive. Thus, the supposed sameness of the physical characteristics of men and women did by no means promise equality of the sexes; on the contrary, it underpinned the hierarchy and male superiority. Furthermore, women stood for fleshiness and desire. The connection of passiveness and desire as female traits seems controversial but is typical of the time. The idea of lustful, desirous, and uncontrollable women changed quite a lot later, especially in the 19th century, when women were usually supposed to have no or a very low sexual drive. Although we also find “the fallen woman” in 18th and 19th century literature, who is unable to control her sexual passion. The concept of a promiscuous female sexuality in Shakespeare’s time might seem a bit odd to us today, but if we look at the plays, we find exactly this idea of women being lustful and uncontrollable for men. Laqueur claims that “Sometime in the eighteenth century, sex as we know it was invented”. This means that Shakespeare’s contemporaries would still have had an ancient understanding of sex (or gender) differences. Although the concept of gender was not yet developed in Shakespeare’s time, I believe it is useful and justifiable to talk about gender relations. It is inevitable to take a modern perspective, and the concept of gender is not restricted to men and women of the 20th and 21st centuries; it is definitely applicable to Shakespeare’s characters, too, as I will try to show in this thesis.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Much Ado About Nothing
- 2.1 Hero and Claudio
- 2.2 Beatrice and Benedick
- 2.3 Male Alliances and Villainy
- 3. Othello
- 3.1 Race and Gender
- 3.2 Desdemona and Othello
- 3.3 Othello and Iago
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis analyzes gender relations in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and Othello, exploring how genre influences the portrayal of these relations. It examines the differing representations of women and men in comedy and tragedy, investigating the extent of female empowerment and male dominance within each genre. The study also considers the historical context of gender perceptions in Shakespeare's time, drawing on scholarly debates surrounding the "one-sex" model and the social construction of gender.
- The influence of genre (comedy vs. tragedy) on the depiction of gender relations.
- The portrayal of female characters and their agency in both plays.
- The construction of masculinity and its relationship to power dynamics.
- The historical context of gender understanding in Shakespeare's era.
- The interplay between gender and other social categories such as race (in Othello).
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the thesis by exploring historical perspectives on gender, drawing primarily on Thomas Laqueur's Making Sex and Helen King's critique of it. It establishes the complex and evolving understanding of gender roles in early modern England, contrasting the "one-sex" model with more nuanced perspectives. The chapter highlights the need to consider both the historical context and contemporary understandings of gender when analyzing Shakespeare's plays, arguing for the applicability of modern gender theory to Shakespearean characters. It also briefly introduces the thesis's central argument: that gender relations are significantly different in comedy (Much Ado About Nothing) and tragedy (Othello).
2. Much Ado About Nothing: This chapter delves into the gender dynamics presented in Shakespeare's comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. It analyzes the relationships between Hero and Claudio, Beatrice and Benedick, and the male alliances that contribute to the play's plot. The chapter explores how the comedic structure allows for a more complex and arguably less rigidly defined portrayal of gender roles compared to the tragedy Othello, presenting characters who exhibit greater agency and defy traditional expectations. The analysis examines the ways in which deception and societal pressures affect the characters' relationships and explores the ultimately positive resolution, showcasing the comedic potential of subverting conventional gender norms.
3. Othello: This chapter shifts to Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, to contrast its portrayal of gender relations with that of Much Ado About Nothing. It focuses on the themes of race and gender, analyzing the relationship between Desdemona and Othello, and the manipulative influence of Iago. This section explores how the tragic structure intensifies the power imbalance between men and women, highlighting the devastating consequences of unchecked male dominance and the vulnerability of female characters within a patriarchal society. The chapter further emphasizes the role of societal expectations and the destructive nature of jealousy and suspicion within these gendered dynamics.
Keywords
Shakespeare, gender relations, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, comedy, tragedy, masculinity, femininity, female agency, male dominance, historical context, gender theory, race, power dynamics, social construction of gender.
Shakespearean Gender Relations: A Thesis Preview - FAQ
What is the main focus of this thesis?
This thesis analyzes gender relations in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and Othello, examining how the comedic and tragic genres influence their portrayal. It explores female empowerment and male dominance, considering the historical context of gender perceptions in Shakespeare's time.
Which plays are analyzed in this thesis?
The thesis focuses on two Shakespearean plays: Much Ado About Nothing (a comedy) and Othello (a tragedy).
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the influence of genre on gender depiction, the portrayal of female characters and their agency, the construction of masculinity and power dynamics, the historical context of gender understanding in Shakespeare's era, and the interplay between gender and race (specifically in Othello).
How does the thesis approach the analysis of gender?
The thesis uses a comparative approach, contrasting the portrayal of gender in the comedy and tragedy. It draws on scholarly debates surrounding the "one-sex" model and the social construction of gender, applying modern gender theory to Shakespearean characters.
What is the significance of the historical context?
The thesis emphasizes the importance of considering the historical context of early modern England's understanding of gender roles. It references works like Thomas Laqueur's Making Sex to highlight the evolving understanding of gender in that period.
How are the plays summarized in the preview?
The preview provides chapter summaries. The introduction sets the historical stage. The Much Ado About Nothing chapter analyzes the relationships between key characters, emphasizing the comedic subversion of gender norms. The Othello chapter contrasts this, highlighting the tragic consequences of male dominance and female vulnerability.
What are the key characters analyzed?
Key characters analyzed include Hero and Claudio, Beatrice and Benedick (from Much Ado About Nothing), and Desdemona, Othello, and Iago (from Othello).
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include Shakespeare, gender relations, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, comedy, tragedy, masculinity, femininity, female agency, male dominance, historical context, gender theory, race, power dynamics, and social construction of gender.
What is the overall argument of the thesis?
The thesis argues that gender relations are significantly different in comedy (Much Ado About Nothing) and tragedy (Othello), influenced by the genre's structure and conventions.
Where can I find more information about this thesis?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview. Further details would be available in the full thesis document itself.
- Quote paper
- Martin Boddenberg (Author), 2016, Gender relations in "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Othello". How does genre make a difference?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/334063
