The following paper aims to answer the following question in mind: Is William Shakespeare a feminist author?
With feminism and especially feminist writers on the rise and a newly found interest in gender studies within younger generations the question of gender critical studies of classic literary works arises. It has to be said that particularly Shakespeare’s works has been a centre point of those studies for quite a time now, specifically in a context in which women are doing close readings of his work. If the book "Women reading Shakespeare" is to be believed, women critically read his works starting in his own lifetime, up until now. But of course, the perception of his work changed over the centuries with the changing of the female role in society. A rather new definition of feminism is the one from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which states that feminism is “the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes”.
The first chapter of this thesis intends to be a short overview about the historical frame of the plays and the role of women in general. "The Tempest" is going to be the topic of the next chapter, with an analysis of Miranda, her speeches and how she is treated on the male-dominated island. Additionally, the absence of the (supposed) witch and mother of Caliban, Sycorax, is to be discussed alongside of Shakespeare’s ideals in this play. Following the analysis of "The Tempes"t is the one of "Henry V." with a breakdown of Katherine’s character and how she interacts with the men in the play including another look at Shakespeare’s own worldview in this play. Lastly, with the help of the preceding research, follows a conclusion that aims to answer the question posed in this introduction.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Historical Background of the play – the role of women in the Elizabethan Era
3. The problem of the subjected female characters in The Tempest
3.1 Sycorax
3.2 The paradox of Miranda
3.3 Shakespeare’s ideology in The Tempest
4. Henry V. and feminism
4.1 The role of Katherine de Valois in Henry V.
4.2 Shakespeare’s worldview in Henry V. in context
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to explore whether William Shakespeare can be categorized as a feminist author by examining the portrayal of women in his plays, specifically The Tempest and Henry V. The research investigates how female characters are subjected to patriarchal control, societal limitations, and objectification within the context of the Elizabethan era, while also considering instances where these characters display rebellious or complex traits.
- Historical role and status of women in the Elizabethan era.
- Analysis of silenced or absent female figures like Sycorax.
- Examination of Miranda’s paradoxical status as a subjected yet defiant character.
- Investigation of Katherine de Valois as a representative of "closeted womanhood."
- Critique of Shakespeare’s worldview regarding gender roles and patriarchal structures.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Sycorax
For everyone who has ever read The Tempest it might come as a surprise to hear that there was actually more than one significant female role in the play: the present Miranda and Caliban’s mother, Sycorax. Granted, Sycorax doesn’t make a single appearance in the play. Which is what makes her so intriguing to write about. What use is a female figure if she’s never present and rarely talked about?
The first time Sycorax is mentioned, and therefore introduced to the reader is in Act 1, Scene 2 by Prospero: Thou liest, malignant thing; hast thou forgot The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy Was grown into a hoop? Hast thou forgot her? (The Tempest 1.2.258)
In this particular scene Prospero talks to his spirit Ariel and reminds him of his place as his servant by using Sycorax as an example what could happen to him should he disobey him. Not only does he describe Sycorax as a “foul witch”, but he degrades her even further by insulting her age and the aging process. Talking about a woman’s age has probably always been a weak spot, even on a mythical island. He also says that her envy ultimately led to her death. The meaning of “envy” is that Prospero probably envisions her to be so filled with jealousy of his magic, that he can’t help but comment on it as well.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the research, outlines the feminist lens applied to Shakespeare’s work, and introduces the plays The Tempest and Henry V. as primary objects of study.
2. Historical Background of the play – the role of women in the Elizabethan Era: This section provides the historical context of the patriarchal Elizabethan society, explaining the 'one-sex-model' and the restricted life of women during that era.
3. The problem of the subjected female characters in The Tempest: This chapter focuses on the female figures in The Tempest, specifically addressing how they are often defined by men and subjected to patriarchal structures.
3.1 Sycorax: An analysis of the absent character Sycorax, examining how her reputation as a witch is constructed and manipulated by the male protagonists.
3.2 The paradox of Miranda: This part explores Miranda's role as both an obedient daughter and a character capable of subtle rebellion against her father's control.
3.3 Shakespeare’s ideology in The Tempest: A concluding analysis of the gender dynamics in The Tempest, questioning if the play displays pre-feminist tendencies despite its problematic elements.
4. Henry V. and feminism: This chapter shifts the focus to Henry V., analyzing the play's historical context and the marginalized status of female characters in a military-focused drama.
4.1 The role of Katherine de Valois in Henry V.: A detailed look at Katherine as a prize of war and her lack of agency in her own education and future marriage.
4.2 Shakespeare’s worldview in Henry V. in context: This section examines the implications of Henry’s rhetoric regarding war and its specific impact on the vulnerability of women.
5. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, concluding that while Shakespeare was a product of his time, his female characters often contain complexities that allow for modern feminist readings.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Feminism, The Tempest, Henry V., Miranda, Sycorax, Katherine de Valois, Elizabethan era, Patriarchy, Gender studies, Subjected characters, Objectification, Virginity, Women's roles, Literary criticism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper examines whether William Shakespeare can be considered a feminist author by analyzing the portrayal, treatment, and agency of women in The Tempest and Henry V.
What are the central thematic fields addressed in the analysis?
The central themes include patriarchal power structures, the objectification of women, the historical context of the Elizabethan era, and the dichotomy between 'rebellious' and 'subjected' female characters.
What is the primary research question?
The primary research question is: Is William Shakespeare a feminist author? The paper seeks to answer this by looking at the complexities of his female characters within the societal constraints of his time.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author utilizes a literary-critical approach, performing close readings of specific scenes and speeches in The Tempest and Henry V., supplemented by historical and secondary feminist research.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the historical backdrop of Elizabethan society, the analysis of absent/silenced figures like Sycorax, the paradoxes of Miranda, and the problematic nature of Katherine de Valois's role in Henry V.
Which keywords characterize this academic work?
Key terms include Shakespeare, Feminism, Patriarchy, Miranda, Sycorax, Gender Studies, Objectification, and the cultural context of the Elizabethan era.
How does the author characterize the role of Sycorax in The Tempest?
Sycorax is described as a powerful, albeit absent, female figure whose reputation is solely shaped by the insulting narratives of male characters like Prospero, serving as a metaphor for silenced women.
Why is Miranda considered a paradoxical character by the author?
Miranda is seen as a paradox because she embodies the traditional, obedient daughter role demanded by her father, while simultaneously demonstrating instances of defiance and agency that challenge patriarchal authority.
How is Katherine de Valois portrayed in the context of Henry V.?
Katherine is presented as a 'prize of war' whose personal life, education, and autonomy are completely subsumed by the political and military objectives of the men around her.
What is the final conclusion regarding Shakespeare's feminism?
The author concludes that Shakespeare cannot be labeled a 'feminist' by modern standards, as he was fundamentally an Elizabethan man; however, his work contains complexities and female characters that exhibit surprisingly modern traits.
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- Teresa Ruß (Autor:in), 2018, "If I be Waspish, Best Beware of my Sting". Feminism and the Role of Women in William Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" and "Henry V.", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/513227
