'Frailty, thy name is woman': The depiction of women in The Revenger's Tragedy and in Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth

Seminar Paper , 2004 , 20 Pages , Grade: 2.0

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

This paper deals with the question how women are depicted in English Renaissance drama, exemplified by the women inThe Revenger’s Tragedyand in Shakespeare’sHamletandMacbeth.It shall be examined which functions women in the drama fulfill and which conclusion their status allows.
Of particular interest will be the concept of the ‘unruly woman’, who unites characteristics like mysteriousness, seductiveness and inexplicability. The analysis will show that none of the examined characters Gertrude, Ophelia, Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff, Gratiana, Gloriana, Castiza, Antonio’s wife and the Duchess are shaped plainly but ambivalently. Therefore, no explicitly good or evil female character can be identified. With regard to the widespread misogynistic view on women in the 17thcentury, this speaks for the dramas’ authors. However, various negative human features that are presented as typically female, will be taken into consideration and questioned as the basis for discussing the issue whether the dramatists can be rather regarded as feminists or sexists. Moreover, a short insight into the potential origins of the (male) perception of the Renaissance woman is presented and shall clarify and explain the circumstances, in which rather ‘modern’ matters like woman’s selfperception, ambition and emancipation, self-determination and reputation. The paper’s aim is to expose what the general way of women’s depiction actually is and to investigate if the dichotomy between men and woman can be portrayed in the simplified way of depicting female weakness versus male strength. Furthermore, it shall be focused on the strikingly depicted male superiority and dominance in the plays, its nature, consequences, the connected illusions and, maybe, underlying weaknesses.
Additionally, the analysis will focus on questions suggesting themselves such as the discussion of woman’s habitual death in Renaissance drama, the identification of the different angles of depiction and, above all, the inquiry of the thesis if women are really depicted as morally and socially inferior to men and, if yes, whether this can be justified.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1.0 Introduction
• 2.0 Reflections on the origins of the view on women in Renaissance England
• 3.0 Analysis Women as morally and socially inferior to men ?
• 3.1 Women's hysteria: depression, weakness and suicide in Hamlet
• 3.2 Behind the scenes of Macbeth: The woman as dominant and ingenious seducer?
• 3.3 \"Wives are but made to take to bed and feed”2: Depiction of woman in The Revenger's Tragedy
• 4.0 Renaissance drama: misogynistic view on women or reality depicted? – A conclusion
• 5.0 References
• 6.0 Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the portrayal of women in English Renaissance drama, specifically focusing on the female characters in The Revenger's Tragedy and Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth. The primary objective is to analyze the roles women fulfill in these plays and assess the conclusions that can be drawn about their status within the dramatic context.

• The concept of the 'unruly woman' and its characteristics like mysteriousness, seductiveness, and inexplicability.
• The depiction of women as morally and socially inferior to men in Renaissance drama.
• The potential origins of the male perception of women during the Renaissance.
• The influence of the Bible on the understanding of women's roles and status.
• The portrayal of female characters in the plays as multifaceted and ambivalent.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• 1.0 Introduction: This chapter introduces the paper's focus on analyzing the depiction of women in Renaissance drama, particularly in The Revenger's Tragedy and Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth. It highlights the concept of the 'unruly woman' and the paper's objective to examine the potential for feminist or sexist interpretations of the dramatists' portrayals of women.
• 2.0 Reflections on the origins of the view on women in Renaissance England: This chapter delves into the historical context of the Renaissance, exploring the influence of the Bible and its teachings on the status of women in English society. It examines how the biblical narrative of Eve's fall contributes to the perception of women as inferior to men and how this view is reflected in John Knox's polemical treatise The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women.
• 3.0 Analysis Women as morally and socially inferior to men ?: This chapter analyzes the portrayal of women in the selected plays, focusing on specific characters and their actions. It examines how the portrayal of women aligns with the prevailing misogynistic views of the time and explores the potential for alternative interpretations.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The core concepts of this work revolve around the portrayal of women in English Renaissance drama, focusing on themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the influence of historical and religious perspectives. Key terms include: unruly woman, misogyny, feminism, sexuality, power, ambition, and the Bible.

• College: Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald
• Grade: 2.0
• Author: Adriana Zühlke (Author)
• Publication Year: 2004
• Pages: 20
• Catalog Number: V66777
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638591898
• ISBN (Book): 9783656801757
• Language: English
• Tags: Frailty, Revenger, Tragedy, Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth