Introduction:
Even though Shakespearean plays have existed for centuries, bringing forth both enjoyment for audiences and discussion for literary thinkers, and having been analysed, scrutinised and their very essence explored. This essay will attempt to create a vivid and fascinating exploration of Hamlet and the Taming of the Shrew, for emphasis the purpose of this essay is to traverse in the depiction of Shakespearean women. Chiefly the performance of these female characters on stage whilst using Judith Butler’s Queer theory as a basic theoretical framework.
This essay will also attempt to address Shakespearean misogyny and answering the age old question of How far is Shakespeare's depiction of the female characters a result of Renaissance culture or his own personal beliefs. Naturally, the historical context of Renaissance England will play great importance to portrayal of women in Shakespearean theatre.
Body:
Hamlet: Perhaps the most iconic quote of Hamlet, in association with women, would have to be “Frailty thy name is woman” from Hamlet’s first soliloquy. This quote not only gives great insight to Hamlet’s sentiments regarding the marriage, but the Renaissance interpretation of women as well.In the play women are frail and submissive as well as obedient to the men around them. There are only two female characters throughout the play Gertrude and Ophelia both of whom are passive (this is more expected of Ophelia given that she is a minor personage) in the play’s escalating drama and somewhat marginalised.Hamlet generally regards his mother as ‘corrupt’ and ‘lustful’ given her relationship with Claudius. A fact highlighted in the play is that Ophelia seems to possess no will of her own and is instructed by Polonius and Laertes this relationship relates to patriarchy two men on how women should behave. Obviously there is a relationship between madness and renaissance women Moreover, Ophelia is unstable in mentality which eventually leads to her tragic demise, ironically it is only after her death that Hamlet shows any explicit romantic affection towards her. She becomes ‘mad’ after her confrontation with Hamlet The Taming of the Shrew: Similarly to Hamlet,this play also only has two central female characters, however unlike in Hamlet, through the entirety of the play Bianca acts as a foil to her older sister Katherine. …show more content…
Katherine is regarded as possibly being ‘a stark mad wench’ by Tranio upon her first encounter with her, Katherine actively deviates from her chosen gender role and becomes an unwoman if you will by Katherine’s wild and difficult nature that the men cannot control. Despite this she becomes ‘tamed’ (hence the title) at the end by Petruchio although this has been an age long dispute over whether her final speech is satirical and sardonic rather than earnest. On the other hand, Bianca is serene, gentle and docile in nature to highlight this Bianca is described numerous times as being a delicate fragrant flower. In many respects she acts as the ideal woman men desire,this being evident in the very first scene where she is shown already having captured both the hearts of Lucentio and Hortensio. Similarly to Ophelia, Bianca’s life is governed by her father, especially in regards to her courtship who's wishes she fulfills grudgingly. The Historical context of these plays has already been brought to attention in this essay many times previously, however,
Even though Shakespearean plays have existed for centuries, bringing forth both enjoyment for audiences and discussion for literary thinkers, and having been analysed, scrutinised and their very essence explored. This essay will attempt to create a vivid and fascinating exploration of Hamlet and the Taming of the Shrew, for emphasis the purpose of this essay is to traverse in the depiction of Shakespearean women. Chiefly the performance of these female characters on stage whilst using Judith Butler’s Queer theory as a basic theoretical framework.
This essay will also attempt to address Shakespearean misogyny and answering the age old question of How far is Shakespeare's depiction of the female characters a result of Renaissance culture or his own personal beliefs. Naturally, the historical context of Renaissance England will play great importance to portrayal of women in Shakespearean theatre.
Body:
Hamlet: Perhaps the most iconic quote of Hamlet, in association with women, would have to be “Frailty thy name is woman” from Hamlet’s first soliloquy. This quote not only gives great insight to Hamlet’s sentiments regarding the marriage, but the Renaissance interpretation of women as well.In the play women are frail and submissive as well as obedient to the men around them. There are only two female characters throughout the play Gertrude and Ophelia both of whom are passive (this is more expected of Ophelia given that she is a minor personage) in the play’s escalating drama and somewhat marginalised.Hamlet generally regards his mother as ‘corrupt’ and ‘lustful’ given her relationship with Claudius. A fact highlighted in the play is that Ophelia seems to possess no will of her own and is instructed by Polonius and Laertes this relationship relates to patriarchy two men on how women should behave. Obviously there is a relationship between madness and renaissance women Moreover, Ophelia is unstable in mentality which eventually leads to her tragic demise, ironically it is only after her death that Hamlet shows any explicit romantic affection towards her. She becomes ‘mad’ after her confrontation with Hamlet The Taming of the Shrew: Similarly to Hamlet,this play also only has two central female characters, however unlike in Hamlet, through the entirety of the play Bianca acts as a foil to her older sister Katherine. …show more content…
Katherine is regarded as possibly being ‘a stark mad wench’ by Tranio upon her first encounter with her, Katherine actively deviates from her chosen gender role and becomes an unwoman if you will by Katherine’s wild and difficult nature that the men cannot control. Despite this she becomes ‘tamed’ (hence the title) at the end by Petruchio although this has been an age long dispute over whether her final speech is satirical and sardonic rather than earnest. On the other hand, Bianca is serene, gentle and docile in nature to highlight this Bianca is described numerous times as being a delicate fragrant flower. In many respects she acts as the ideal woman men desire,this being evident in the very first scene where she is shown already having captured both the hearts of Lucentio and Hortensio. Similarly to Ophelia, Bianca’s life is governed by her father, especially in regards to her courtship who's wishes she fulfills grudgingly. The Historical context of these plays has already been brought to attention in this essay many times previously, however,