The Construction of Femininity in Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus"

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2008 , 18 Pages , Grade: 1,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy Titus Andronicus is his most gruesome play. It has been harshly criticized for its exaggerated cruelty and was certainly not among his most popular works. However, the play aroused a somewhat greater interest within the field of gender studies and the feminist approach to literature. The simplified, objectified and polarized depiction of the female characters virtually stares the gender-conscious reader in the face; this is an open invitation for closer inspection. Though the virgin-whore dichotomy was quite common in Elizabethan literature, it is carried to extremes in Titus Andronicus. In the following the construction of femininity and the female characters in the play, Lavinia and Tamora, will be analyzed against the background of the perception of femininity in Shakespeare’s time.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Women in the Elizabethan Age
• The construction of femininity
  • Lavinia
  • Tamora
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the construction of femininity in Shakespeare's revenge tragedy, Titus Andronicus, focusing on the characters of Lavinia and Tamora. It analyzes these characters against the backdrop of the historical context and the perception of femininity in the Elizabethan Age. The study aims to explore how the play's portrayal of women reflects the societal expectations and limitations imposed upon them during this period.

• The construction of femininity in Elizabethan literature
• The portrayal of women as dependent on men
• The virgin-whore dichotomy in Elizabethan drama
• The role of gender studies in analyzing Shakespeare's work
• The impact of societal expectations on the characters of Lavinia and Tamora

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides an overview of the play Titus Andronicus and its significance in the context of gender studies. It highlights the play's controversial themes and the simplified, polarized depiction of female characters.

The second chapter discusses the historical context of the Elizabethan Age, focusing on the social, economic, and sexual limitations imposed on women. It explores the patriarchal society and the dominant male perspective that shaped the perception of femininity.

The third chapter delves into the construction of femininity, examining the cultural and social attributes ascribed to women. It analyzes the concept of femininity as a discursive construct and explores the role of gender studies in deconstructing biologistic doctrines.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this paper include: femininity, construction of femininity, Elizabethan Age, gender studies, Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus, Lavinia, Tamora, virgin-whore dichotomy, patriarchal society, societal expectations, and female characters.

• College: University of Augsburg
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Sofie Sonnenstatter (Author)
• Publication Year: 2008
• Pages: 18
• Catalog Number: V142752
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640539222
• Language: English
• Tags: Construction, Femininity, Shakespeare, Titus, Andronicus