Shakespearean Drama - Women in Renaissance

Term Paper , 2005 , 10 Pages , Grade: 2

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

1. PREFACE

This term paper has the women of Shakespeare’s time in focus with a special interest in the figure of Lady Macbeth in his play “Macbeth”. My goal to achieve will be to draw a line between the understanding of women in Shakespearean England and his forming Lady Macbeth as a destructive female figure in this drama. Macbeth was written predominantly as a stage play around 1605/06. The significance of gender and sex in this play is most obvious in the conception of Lady Macbeth. In Shakespeare’s former plays women had only minor roles with a lesser quantity of speech acts. Although Lady Macbeth still has merely a third of her husband’s lines, she is still the second largest role of the play. But focus should not only be laid upon quantity as such. Concerning the reception of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it becomes clear that Lady Macbeth’s central role as wife, seductress and passive leader of events make her nearly as important as Macbeth himself. [...]

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Preface
• Renaissance and Gender Theories
  • Renaissance
  • Gender theory in ancient Greece
  • 'Gender' during the age of Renaissance
• Gender in Shakespeare's Macbeth
  • Introduction
  • 'unsex me here' – Lady Macbeth
    • Lady Macbeth's attitude towards the murder
    • Lady Macbeth's motherly features
    • Lady Macbeth and her husband
  • Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches
  • Shakespeare's destructive women
• Conclusion
• Literature
  • Primary Literature
  • Secondary Literature
  • Online Resources

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper focuses on the representation of women in Shakespeare's time, with particular emphasis on the character of Lady Macbeth in his play "Macbeth". The goal is to explore the relationship between the understanding of women in Shakespearean England and the portrayal of Lady Macbeth as a destructive female figure. Key themes include:

• Gender roles and expectations in Renaissance England
• The portrayal of women in Shakespeare's works
• The character of Lady Macbeth and her motivations
• The disruption of the natural order in "Macbeth"
• The relationship between gender and power in the play

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Preface: This section introduces the topic of the term paper, outlining the focus on women in Shakespeare's time and the role of Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth". It highlights the significance of gender and sex in the play, particularly in the conception of Lady Macbeth, and emphasizes her central role as wife, seductress, and passive leader of events.
• Renaissance and Gender Theories: This chapter examines the cultural and intellectual context of Shakespeare's time, with a particular emphasis on the Renaissance's influence on gender theories. It traces the historical development of gender roles and expectations, exploring the views of ancient Greek philosophers and the biblical influence on understanding women. The chapter also discusses the limitations placed on women's rights in 15th Century England.
• Gender in Shakespeare's Macbeth: This section delves into the portrayal of gender in "Macbeth", focusing on the significance of the play's central terms: "man", "men", "manhood", and "nature". It highlights the disruption of the natural order by characters like Lady Macbeth and the witches.
• 'unsex me here' – Lady Macbeth: This chapter examines Lady Macbeth's character in detail, focusing on her attitude towards the murder of Duncan, her motherly features, and her relationship with her husband. It explores her motivations and her role in shaping the play's events.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This term paper examines the representation of women in Renaissance England, specifically through the character of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth". Key concepts include gender roles, power dynamics, the disruption of the natural order, and the interplay between ambition, morality, and sexuality. The analysis draws upon insights from Renaissance literature, gender theory, and the historical context of Shakespeare's time.

• College: University of Erfurt
• Course: Shakespearean Drama
• Grade: 2
• Author: Sabine Reich (Author)
• Publication Year: 2005
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V54687
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638498265
• ISBN (Book): 9783656776840
• Language: English
• Tags: Shakespearean, Drama, Women, Renaissance, Shakespearean, Drama