This term paper deals with gender in William Shakespeares’ drama “Julius Caesar”.With only two women in the whole play, the Rome depicted in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar can certainly be described as a very male dominated world.
The female characters Calpurnia and Portia are absent for most of the play, and when they do appear, they do so in a domestic context. Despite their strong personalities and intelligence, they are disregarded and ignored by their husbands. Women are thought unfit to get involved in politics, as they are seen as weak and overly emotional creatures that cannot think as rationally as men, who are presented as their binary opposites.
Furthermore, concepts and understandings of masculinity play a crucial role in Julius Caesar as they strongly influence how male characters behave and what decisions they make during the course of the play.
Table of Contents
1. Excursion Shakespeare's Stratford
2. “Am I no stronger than my sex?”
3. A Closer Look at the Theme of Gender in Julius Caesar
4. Greta Kubitzek
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the construction and societal impact of gender roles in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, focusing specifically on how the marginalization of female characters and the rigid expectations of masculinity influence the play's tragic trajectory.
- The domestic confinement and political exclusion of female characters like Portia and Calpurnia.
- The impact of Elizabethan and Roman gender ideologies on character behavior.
- The concept of "fragile masculinity" and its role in Caesar's assassination.
- The tension between rationality and emotion as gender-coded traits.
- The performative nature of masculine virtue through rivalry and public display.
Excerpt from the Book
A Closer Look at the Theme of Gender in Julius Caesar
With only two women in the whole play, the Rome depicted in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar can certainly be described as a very male dominated world. The female characters Calpurnia and Portia are absent for most of the play, and when they do appear, they do so in a domestic context. Despite their strong personalities and intelligence, they are disregarded and ignored by their husbands. Women are thought unfit to get involved in politics, as they are seen as weak and overly emotional creatures that cannot think as rationally as men, who are presented as their binary opposites. Furthermore, concepts and understandings of masculinity play a crucial role in Julius Caesar as they strongly influence how male characters behave and what decisions they make during the course of the play.
The fact that women in Julius Caesar are not taken seriously and are usually brushed off by men is reflected in the relationship between Portia and Brutus. From the moment Portia enters, we are aware that she is regarded as inferior to her husband. She addresses Brutus with “my lord” (II.1, 244), instantly establishing him in a higher position as herself and subordinating herself to him. “Submission, in Puritan eyes, was the handmaid of harmony in marriage” (Dusinberre 85), so Portia's behaviour in this part of the scene can be considered as conforming to Elizabethan ideals of a woman or wife. When Brutus becomes aware of her presence, he asks why she is awake and expresses concern about her health.
Summary of Chapters
Excursion Shakespeare's Stratford: This introductory section establishes the thematic focus on the gender-segregated world within Shakespeare’s tragedy.
“Am I no stronger than my sex?”: This chapter analyzes the internal struggle of female characters to assert their autonomy against the constraints of a patriarchal society.
A Closer Look at the Theme of Gender in Julius Caesar: This section investigates the specific dynamics of the relationships between Portia/Brutus and Calpurnia/Caesar, highlighting the dismissal of female intuition.
Greta Kubitzek: This final analytical segment connects the Roman male obsession with stoicism and fearlessness to the ultimate downfall of the play's political figures.
Keywords
Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare, Gender Roles, Masculinity, Femininity, Patriarchy, Portia, Calpurnia, Elizabethan Drama, Domesticity, Political Power, Misogyny, Roman Society, Stoicism, Fragile Masculinity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
The work examines the portrayal of gender roles in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and analyzes how these societal expectations dictate the behavior of both male and female characters.
Which central themes are discussed?
The central themes include the marginalization of women in political spheres, the rigid definition of masculinity, and how internalizing these gendered traits leads to tragic outcomes.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how the exclusion of female perspectives and the performative nature of male "virtue" contribute to the instability and eventual violence within the play.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical context, Elizabethan drama studies, and feminist criticism to interpret character interactions.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main part analyzes the scenes involving Portia and Brutus, and Calpurnia and Caesar, focusing on how husbands use patriarchal authority to dismiss female warnings.
How would you describe the main keywords?
The keywords highlight the intersection of classical Roman history, Shakespearean literature, and gender studies.
Why does the author argue that Portia’s act of self-harm is significant?
The author argues it is a desperate attempt by Portia to prove her "constancy" and physical toughness, traits usually reserved for male soldiers, in an attempt to be taken seriously by her husband.
How does the concept of "fragile masculinity" apply to Julius Caesar?
The author suggests that Caesar’s constant need to appear fearless and his refusal to admit vulnerability to his wife ultimately leave him susceptible to the conspirators' manipulation.
What is the significance of the "dank morning" reference?
It is used by Portia as a rhetorical device to point out that Brutus’s health is just as exposed as hers, countering his claim that she is "too weak" to be out of bed.
Why does Decius mock Calpurnia’s dream?
Decius uses mockery to emasculate Caesar, suggesting that listening to a woman’s "superstitious" fears would be an embarrassing act of weakness, thus pushing Caesar toward his death.
- Quote paper
- Greta Kubitzek (Author), 2017, Gender Aspects in the Drama "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374274
