16th Century England
The systematic and cultural subordination of women in 16th century England is demonstrated in the relevant documents and ancillary materials provided for this assignment. A tacit agreement on the inferiority of the female gender in this time heavily contributed to the objectification and abuse of women. Elizabeth I stood as an exception to the social norms of her time, ruling as a single female. Elizabeth’s thoughts on her rule walk a fine line between the legitimization of these archaic beliefs and an outright denunciation of patriarchy. In contrast, Michael Drayton’s sonnet #6 from Idea, beginning with “How many paltry, foolish, painted things,” demonstrates the deification of women based only on their physical appearance. The loose dichotomy
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He suggests that those who fill the carriages, that in turn fill the streets, shall be forgotten unless they’re recorded by a poet great skill. He then asserts that he can bestow the gift of eternity upon a woman of his liking, leaving queens and women of splendor in awe for generations to come. Drayton then proclaims that his depiction of this women would be so beautiful that women of splendor will grieve for not having lived in the same time as his love interest. Of course, this is hyperbolic and, potentially, comedic. Regardless, this author’s intent and beliefs are clear. This sonnet focuses heavily on the outward, physical characteristics of women in this time period. A fixation on female beauty and social status is also highlighted in both films shown in class: Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth (1998) and a History Channel documentary titled Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen. Each film focuses heavily on the interactions between Elizabeth and her court early in her reign. The urgency with which her court requested Elizabeth select a husband and procreate highlighted the functional purpose of women in this era. The accentuation of female characteristics that indicate fertility such as breast size and hip width further cement the primary role of women as baby makers in this
He suggests that those who fill the carriages, that in turn fill the streets, shall be forgotten unless they’re recorded by a poet great skill. He then asserts that he can bestow the gift of eternity upon a woman of his liking, leaving queens and women of splendor in awe for generations to come. Drayton then proclaims that his depiction of this women would be so beautiful that women of splendor will grieve for not having lived in the same time as his love interest. Of course, this is hyperbolic and, potentially, comedic. Regardless, this author’s intent and beliefs are clear. This sonnet focuses heavily on the outward, physical characteristics of women in this time period. A fixation on female beauty and social status is also highlighted in both films shown in class: Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth (1998) and a History Channel documentary titled Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen. Each film focuses heavily on the interactions between Elizabeth and her court early in her reign. The urgency with which her court requested Elizabeth select a husband and procreate highlighted the functional purpose of women in this era. The accentuation of female characteristics that indicate fertility such as breast size and hip width further cement the primary role of women as baby makers in this