Gender Roles In Queen Elizabeth I's Rule

Simply put, promoting a women to a superior position is forbidden according to God’s law and the interpretation of the Holy Ghost. But he was a Scottish religious reformer which is why he would dislike Elizabeth I even more because of her religion with writing this piece. However, naturally, people who were Catholic or in any religion would find a bit of displeasure because it is proved by God’s law that somehow, women in any power or superiority is almost like a taboo. Document 3 is from “The Second Book of Homilies” by bishops of the Church of England and authorized by Elizabeth I which is less on the theme of religion but displays the misogyny even in families. It explains that the husband is the leader and the wives must listen to their husbands, almost like as if women were objects.

One factor Elizabeth had to face, which was seen as a huge disadvantage, was her gender. This was because the society was very patriarchal, male dominated, meaning that she was seen as week and less capable of being a good leader. This was a problem for Elizabeth as she had to do more to prove that she could be a good leader. This leads onto the fact that her sister Mary wasn’t a good leader so therefore there were low expectations of Elizabeth, This also meant Elizabeth had a lot to prove in order to be a good leader.

Elizabeth’s character was a mystery to most people at the time she inherited the throne. She had learned to keep her own council, control her emotions, and always behaved cautiously, thus being able to disprove all rumors about her. Always dignified and stately, she could be vain, willful, dictatorial, temperamental, and imperious. She had courage, both in her decisions, and in the face of danger. Possessing an innate of humanity, she was not normally cruel, unlike most rulers of her day. Most regarded her to be unusually tolerant in that age of religious conflict. She saw herself as one who was always honest and honorable, who

Elizabeth I is considered a Machiavellian queen; she placed the political unity of England above any other aspect of her kingdom, including religion. Elizabeth I’s reign was influenced politically and religiously, in respect to ideas about gender. Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII, responded authoritatively to any opposition she faced.

In John Osborne 's 1956 piece, Look Back in Anger, housewife Alison Porter is faced with the difficult decision of remaining in a toxic marriage or returning to live with her parents. Indeed, Alison is the archetype of the 1950s British woman, as depicted in both academic and popular discourse—meek, miserable and resigned to her fate as mother and housewife. While such a paradigm of the 1950s woman has long remained unchallenged, historians have begun to suggest that this stereotype is inaccurate and misleading, and overlooks the complexity of female gender roles during Britain of this era. When reviewing the literature on this topic, what emerges as a clear point of tension between academics is whether the 1950s was a static or a dynamic

In the Elizabethan period, women were subordinate to men. They were considered to be ‘inferior' beings who were controlled by their husbands, fathers or any other men in the family. Women were not allowed to hold their own opinions, views or lifestyles. Men had control of everything, some of these included money, politics, work, children, women and home.

One of the biggest challenges Elizabeth faced during her reign was the misogyny against her brought about by religious institutions and figures. Bishops from the Church of England showed this by writing in The Second Book of Homilies “but as for wives, they must obey their husbands, and cease from commanding, and perform subjection.” (doc 3) this statement told women that they were not equal to men, that men must make all the decision for the women leaving women only to do as asked by a man, therefore clearly stating women are incapable of ruling a country or even a household the archbishops of York also believed that women should not lead but rather stand behind their husbands Nicholas Heath said

Most of the public, especially the religious ones, thought that Elizabeth should have had a husband, and she was completely against this concept because she knows how corruptive a man can be towards a woman’s life (examples in her father and in her cousin’s relationship). Elizabeth, knowing that a man would take over and leave her behind, stayed unmarried. She believed that the only marriage she considered to be true was that of hers to England. (Document 11) When the Spanish Armada invaded England, her subjects were sure she was able to take good care of the country. In her speech to the English army, she says that they (her country and herself) will

During Elizabeth I’s reign, she was forced to face many stereotypes in England. In document 1, Knox expressed that women had no place to hold a high position of any form. This belief was prominent throughout the entirety of the 16th century. Many people doubted Elizabeth, justifying these criticisms through their

Elizabeth’s strength, independence, and her intense willpower to assure that her marriage is coordinated only by love demonstrate the feminist portrayal of Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s desire for

By using her subject’s faith in God, and the current law of divine leadership, Elizabeth I sets in stone her reputation. If God chose her to be the Queen of England, then she must be a qualified leader. Who would dare defy a decision ordained by God himself?

Elizabeth I, Queen of England from 1558-1603, brought success and political power to her nation during her 45 year reign. However, ideas of gender at the time greatly influenced her reign. Religious figures at the time questioned her ability to rule due to her gender, but despite this she remained a strong and effective leader. One of the primary challenges toward Elizabeth’s rule came from the church. In 1558, John Knox, a Scottish religious reformer, published First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women, in which he showed his biased opinions toward women in power.

politically. Although she had, at times, a horrible temper and a disagreeable personality, and suffered through many physical and psychological problems as an adult, Elizabeth proved to be one of the most remarkable monarchs in English history. Firstly, I will discuss Elizabeth’s family (including her many stepmothers), and then I will talk about her relationship with her siblings under their power. Thirdly, I will examine religion and how it affected her opinions and politics during her reign. Lastly, I will look at foreign politics of the time and some of Elizabeth’s decisions

Defining what a female was supposed to be and do was an act of Renaissance culture. For most of Renaissance society, women represented the following virtues which, importantly, having their meaning in relation to the male; obedience, silence, sexual chastity, piety, humility, constancy, and patience. The most important being sexual chastity and piety.

However, she also brings to the light the ideal picture of the society as through the unusual portrayal of Elizabeth, different from the typical women of that time. She looks beyond the gender inequalities and the discrimination on the basis of class, which were the hallmarks of the society during that time. The female protagonist, Elizabeth is represented as equal to Mr. Darcy in the terms of wit, sense and humor. She is not depicted as an oppressed victim of the patriarchal society. She emerges as a strong woman and is not weighed down by gender roles and distinctions. Austen has not presented Elizabeth as inferior to Mr. Darcy in any terms. She overlooks the gender discrimination where the men were considered as superior to women, while sketching the character of Elizabeth. She is a strong headed woman who refuses to bow down to the patriarchal norms of the society and matrimony. Thus Austen differs in the portrayal of women from her contemporaries and the typical writers of the 18th century England. She does not follow the tradition of portraying women as subordinate and inferior to men. However, the society during that time was patriarchal, where women were reduced to commodities and objects for sexual gratification of men. Marriage was their only safeguard and financial security and also the medium to maintain a social status and not to escape poverty. It was a common belief that the sole purpose of a woman was to completely devote herself to her husband. It was