Elizabethan Era Gender Roles Essay

reflect the ideas of gender roles in Western society. To the extent that they reflect existing

Gender expectations limited personal choice to a great extent during the Elizabethan Era. The Elizabethan Era was the period in which Elizabeth I ruled England from 1558-1603. There was a strong view on women should be the property of men and must obey them. William Shakespeare influenced this time period massively and incorporated the different gender roles and expectations into his plays. Personal is defined as something concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions rather than one's career or public life. Choice is defined as an act of choosing between two or more possibilities. Therefore personal choice can be seen as how someone chooses to life their personal life; whether that be the relationships formed or

As many may know Women’s role during the Elizabethan era has been viewed in different ways. “ Hamlet” by shakespeare gives us a look at the role women played. Throughout the play Ophelia and Gertrude gave us a look at how women were during the Elizabethan era but to give you more of an insight as to what a Elizabethan I 'll give you a overall look at what it 's like to be an Elizabethan women, how it 's like and what is an Elizabethan women. Also how Ophelia and Gertrude may relate the Elizabethan women.

During the Elizabethan times, there were many issues facing common people and William Shakespeare. An important issue that played a part in everyday life for Elizabethans, whether rich or poor, was the difference between men and women. Gender roles have been debated throughout history and are changing everyday. Although modern American gender roles are much more defined and different than Elizabethan times, if Shakespeare were to live today, his writing would have been very different.

During the eighteenth century, gender roles were rigid. There were things that men were expected to do, and things women were expected to do, and these expectations were very different. There were countless works written and drawn about what each gender should do and how they should act. Two such works were George Washington’s “Rules of Civility”, and the image entitled “Keep Within the Compass”. In both works, we are shown both sides of the gender coin. In “Rules of Civility” we are shown all the things that men are supposed to do, per George Washington, and in “Keep Within the Compass” we are shown what woman are supposed to do.

The Renaissance was the rebirth/reformation from the 14th century which was the plague began. In England, this was considered the Elizabethan Era because this is when Queen Elizabeth I was the queen of England. Learning about how Renaissance women/Elizabethan women were in the past is important to understand because we learn about the gender roles. Women were usually viewed as soft, weak, and obedient while men were viewed as powerful and worthy. In the Tragedy of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth deviates from the gender roles of a traditional woman of her time because she is outspoken, she didn’t have children after marriage,

The stereotypical topic of gender roles in early history is the definition of the Elizabethan Era. Since the beginning of time females has been ranked below all male figures in status as well as a work force. Furthermore, the men were known to be the breadwinners for the family whereas the women were meant to stay at home housewife (Sharnette). Throughout history this storetype has evolved, but an average day for a male and female during the Elizabethan Era is rather contrasting. With women having little to none privileges, men being in complete control of the their life in addition to the lives of their spouses and the effects of the imbalance in gender roles on the people throughout that time period are a few to many of how the

In the Renaissance era traditional gender roles was an unconscious concept that was part of the society’s life. Gender inequality was not something that was often brought up or even recognized. Women and men had specific roles in the society and were expected to act a certain way; men as tough and powerful being who were the bread winners and women as the helpless, sensitive beings who were caregivers. The men were seen to be the beings that had the jobs and paid for the family’s needs; to be the backbone of the family. Women then, and to extent today, were to be the ones to cater to the men and children and make sure that they were cared for.

“Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.” (Kofi Annan). Gender roles today are not a huge problem in today’s society, but back then it was a struggle for women. Women were not allowed equal rights as men before the 20th century. This lead to women holding a very low standpoint in their society limiting a lot of rights and freedoms women have now. Women that fought their equal rights as men in America left a lasting impact in history for females of the United States.

The women of the Elizabethan era were expected to be silent and obedient to men in society. They did not have any rights and were seen as property to a man. The women of the Elizabethan era were given education only if they were of noble birth. Otherwise, they had to stay home and learn to run the household. For Elizabethan era women of noble birth, education included knowledge of several languages, including Latin, Greek, Italian, and French. However, even noble women were not allowed to go to university and were only taught by tutors who visited them in their home. Gender roles during the Elizabethan era were clearly defined, with men reigning superior over women. Men really had an enormous influence over women. While a man went out to work,

Women of today are still not considered equal to men in several aspects, but compared to just a few decades ago, women are living the good life. Women from ancient time to now have not had the same privileges as men have. Women’s roles have changed significantly from the Elizabethan era to now, yet alone from ancient times, transitioning from property to property owners and from uneducated to educators was a big change for the social placement of women. A 13th-century Christian theologian, Thomas Aquinas said that woman was "created to be man's helpmeet, but her unique role is in conception . . .

During the Elizabethan era, gender roles were clearly defined with men as the dominant gender. Shakespeare challenges these social norms with the true definition of feminism being conveyed in The Merchant of Venice. The characterisation of Portia, the heiress of Belmont, challenges traditional gender roles of an obedient daughter and the clever male figure. Portia is bound by a clause in her dead father's will that forces her to marry whichever suitor chooses the right casket. While Portia obeys her fathers wishes it is clear that she is upset with the plan stating "Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none?"

However, Lady Macduff introduces gender into the observation by giving it the connotation of being weak. This shows that Lady Macduff assumes that being innocent and lacking in cruelty is an inherently female quality as she makes “womanly” the adjective of something that has extremely little to do with

Women’s roles in the Elizabethan Era times were hard and brutal as they serve men all their lives. The etiquette of women was as a proper lady should be. This quote states, “ nature hath made to keep home… and not to meddle with matters abroad, nor to bear office in a city or commonwealth no more than children or infants.” (The Life in Elizabethan London.) The roles of women are deeply outlined in everything. They were always viewed as the weaker sex. Women could not work in any politics, medical, and/or laws. Some single women were accused as witches. Men always holding the upper hand may chastise their wives, if needed. However; the men may not inflict bodily harm or cruelty.

The Elizabethan Era is one of the most fascinating periods in the history of England. The Elizabethan Era is named after one of the queens of England, Queen Elizabeth I. This era is not only famous because of Queen Elizabeth but also for the era itself, which featured great explorers such as Sir Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh. Also, this is the era of the first theaters in England, William Shakespeare, the Globe Theater and Christopher Marlowe. Comparing Elizabethan Era to the 21st century, a lot of traditions and culture in England have remarkably changed. Some are similar, as well. The role of women have progressed a lot compared to the Elizabethan Era. In many countries today, women can do anything like voting and having the right to file a candidacy to run for a position in the government. Divorce is also allowed in several countries.