Gendered power dynamics from "summary" of The Elizabethan Hamlet by Arthur McGee
The gender dynamics of Elizabethan England are explored in this work, which examines how men and women were expected to interact and behave in society. It highlights the power imbalance between the genders and the roles they were expected to adopt.- Gender could be used to demonstrate power in social structures. In Elizabethan times, men often held more power than women. It was common for society to appoint men with higher positions and more authority, while women were greatly restricted in their rights and abilities.
- Ultimately, societal norms largely dictated what was seen as being socially acceptable behavior, a factor which many embraced during Elizabethan era; subjugating and marginalizing not only women, but also behaviours and ideals which did not align with the standard gender roles of the day.
- Additionally, tensions between men and women are used to explore issues of loyalty, ambition, and submission throughout the play. These topics, though relevant even today, help us gain insight into the realities of power struggles between genders centuries ago.
- During the era of Elizabeth I, female writers and intellectuals began to emerge with new ideas about how to push back against oppressive cultural opinion and rules that limited womens' freedoms.
- Even of those that had wealth and privilege, like Hamlet's mother Queen Gertrude, gender dynamics heavily impacted the ability to make choices regarding marriage, money, and other matters.
- Male characters such as Polonius and Claudius represented traditional sources of male agency, through their roles as advisors and rulers. However, despite these differences in status, the relationships between them were also subject to the same gendered powers of the time period.
- Historically, patriarchal structures gave men a much greater degree of control and autonomy. This form of power imbalance created an environment where it was difficult for women to influence decisions or advance within the system.
- Women often internalized this viewof themselves, believing that the limits presented to them were part of their nature and identity. As a result, some accepted this gendered power dynamic without challenge, while others sought ways around it using peaceful means or disguise.
- Whether real or imagined, power always has an effect on relationships and cultural customs. Through a consideration of historical examples, we can continue to gain a better understanding of how gender disparities and inequality have manifested in different forms across societies over the years.
