Modern literary analysis often deals with different social problems of the time. When looking through texts of other periods it is searched for evidence how people at that time dealt with those problems. In the last 20 years the depiction of sexuality and the term of “gender” – what is masculinity/femininity? – became an important factor in analysing. Thus, in every period there was a depiction on how male and female have to behave and how affection and sexuality is shown.
Comparing two literary pieces of art from one period, one can clearly see the discrepancy even presented by two different
authors.While Shakespeare’s depiction of gender and sexuality has a more masculine tone in his tragedy "Coriolanus", the sonnet sequence "Astrophil and Stella", written by Phillip Sidney gives a more feminine picture of men and women.
Table of Contents
1. Modern literary analysis and the depiction of gender and sexuality
2. Masculinity and femininity in Astrophil and Stella
3. Construction of masculinity and gender roles in Coriolanus
4. Comparative analysis of male and female representations
5. Conclusion on gender roles and societal fixation
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the depiction of gender and masculinity in Philip Sidney’s sonnet sequence "Astrophil and Stella" and William Shakespeare’s tragedy "Coriolanus," exploring how these literary works reflect 16th-century social norms and expectations.
- The intersection of masculinity, sexuality, and power in Renaissance literature.
- Psychological and social portrayals of "feminized" male protagonists.
- The impact of patriarchal structures on female characters and their agency.
- The role of "self-sufficiency" as a mandate for masculine identity.
- Comparative analysis of how pride and rejected desires shape the downfall of literary figures.
Excerpt from the Book
Modern literary analysis often deals with different social problems of the time.
When looking through texts of other periods it is searched for evidence how people at that time dealt with those problems. In the last 20 years the depiction of sexuality and the term of “gender” – what is masculinity/femininity? – became an important factor in analysing. Thus, in every period there was a depiction on how male and female have to behave and how affection and sexuality is shown. Comparing two literary pieces of art from one period, one can clearly see the discrepancy even presented by two different authors.While Shakespeare’s depiction of gender and sexuality has a more masculine tone in his tragedy Coriolanus the sonnet sequence Astrophil and Stella, written by Phillip Sidney gives a more feminine picture of men and women.
In the beginning of the sonnet Astrophil is shown as a man who is totally in love with a beautiful woman. The only problem he has is that this woman, Stella, does not love him. Hence, he writes poems about his feelings and emotions which shift from being amatory and promising to being frustrated and angry about Stella’s rejection. Astrophil is addicted to Stella (Sidney, poem 5 and 61) and cannot control his emotions anymore (Sidney, 1, 18, 50) or contact his other muses (Sidney, 10).
Moreover, Astrophil is not only overmastered, the willing victim of a superior power, he is also emasculated. (...) [T]he courtly lover is explicitly a man who is subjugated to a woman- a situation which puts at stake not only his self- possession but his virility and phallic power (Bates, 1).
Summary of Chapters
1. Modern literary analysis and the depiction of gender and sexuality: This introductory section establishes the framework for analyzing gender roles in Renaissance texts and highlights the discrepancy between Sidney's and Shakespeare's representations.
2. Masculinity and femininity in Astrophil and Stella: This chapter analyzes the character of Astrophil, his emotional instability, his obsession with Stella, and his subsequent "feminization" within the social context of the time.
3. Construction of masculinity and gender roles in Coriolanus: This chapter focuses on the military-driven construction of masculinity in Rome and how the protagonist's pride and identity are challenged by his rejection of social mandates.
4. Comparative analysis of male and female representations: This chapter contrasts the roles of women, particularly Volumnia and Virgilia, against the male protagonists to show how female figures navigated patriarchal hierarchies.
5. Conclusion on gender roles and societal fixation: The final chapter summarizes the fundamental differences in how both authors address male power, female sexuality, and the societal obsession with family purity.
Keywords
Gender, Masculinity, Femininity, Renaissance, Sexuality, Coriolanus, Astrophil and Stella, Patriarchy, Identity, Power, Tragedy, Literary Analysis, Volumnia, Sidney, Shakespeare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work investigates how gender, masculinity, and sexuality are depicted in early modern literature, specifically comparing Philip Sidney’s "Astrophil and Stella" and William Shakespeare’s "Coriolanus."
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
The central themes include the construction of masculinity, the social role of women in the 16th century, the interplay between power and rejection, and the influence of patriarchal societal structures.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to analyze how the male characters in these works are either empowered or "feminized" by their environments and how the female characters respond to or conform to these patriarchal expectations.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The work uses a comparative literary analysis, supported by existing secondary literature and theoretical frameworks regarding gender roles in the Renaissance period.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines specific character behaviors—such as Astrophil's emotional dependence and Coriolanus's pride—and uses these as lenses to discuss broader societal issues like "male libido," "sexual rapacity," and "female agency."
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include Masculinity, Femininity, Renaissance, Patriarchy, Gender Roles, and the specific names of the works analyzed.
How does Astrophil’s characterization deviate from typical male heroism?
Astrophil is characterized as "abject" and "feminized" because he is unable to control his emotions or gain the affection of Stella, which challenges the contemporary image of a strong, masculine hero.
What role does Volumnia play in Coriolanus compared to Virgilia?
Volumnia is depicted as a powerful, politically savvy matron who influences the destiny of Rome, whereas Virgilia is portrayed as naive and passive, reflecting a more traditional, limited female role.
- Citar trabajo
- Laura Commer (Autor), 2015, The representation of gender and sexuality in Sydney's "Astrophil and Stella" and Shakespeare's "Coriolanus", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/338480
