Both in the Elizabethan era and today, gender roles were a significant concern for people of all social statuses, including William Shakespeare. The differentiation between men and women affected individuals from different backgrounds. Throughout history, there has been continuous discussion about evolving gender roles. Although contemporary American society has more defined and diverse gender roles compared to the Elizabethan era, if Shakespeare lived in modern times, his writing would undoubtedly have portrayed these changes. Gender roles exert their influence on every aspect of life during both periods.
Despite the vast differences between eras, modern America and Elizabethan times share similar values and ethics. Marriage holds great significance in both periods and is important to most individuals. Throughout history, people have sought companionship and love from someone who will support and care for them unconditionally (“Marriage and Family”). This common desire establishes a parallel between Elizabethan times and the present, as it is a natural aspect of human life that almost everyone strives to achieve. Women today and in Elizabethan times share similarities, as they both feel a strong inclination to get married more than men do (“Chronobiology?”). Women are driven by their biological clock, desiring marriage and motherhood, a sentiment that remains constant across generations. Thus, women in both eras continue to play the primary caregiving role to children (“Chronobiology?”). Although women tend to fulfill their children’s needs more than men do, the love and devotion from both genders towards their children remains unwavering (“Marriage and Family”). Societal judgments have long been imposed on individuals based on their behavior and occupations, particularly concerning gender. While there are distinct differences in the practices of men and women, certain aspects of their lives remain consistent between Elizabethan times and today(“Elizabethan Women”).
Both women in Elizabethan times and in the present era believe it is crucial to present themselves well in front of others. Women in Elizabethan times were particularly concerned about their manners and etiquette, just as women today still value good manners and etiquette (“Elizabethan Women”). In addition, women in both eras attach great importance to their physical appearance (“Elizabethan Women”). Whether it be through plastic surgery or wearing corsets, women have historically gone to extreme lengths to impress others, particularly men.
Despite societal changes, men have maintained similar occupations since Elizabethan times (“Elizabethan Family”). While women now serve in the army, men have traditionally been the primary soldiers in war. Although attitudes towards gender roles have evolved, the physical capabilities of both sexes remain constant. Consequently, physically demanding labor positions have historically been more commonly filled by men during both the Elizabethan Era and present day. Moreover, besides women’s treatment, another aspect of gender roles has presented challenges in Elizabethan times and persists today.
The topic discussed in this passage is homosexuality, and it has evoked strong emotions in heterosexual individuals throughout history (Pricard 172). During the Elizabethan era, homosexuality was deemed disruptive to the natural order of life. Furthermore, it instilled fear in the Elizabethans due to its contradicting stance with religious beliefs described in the bible, which heavily influenced people during that time (Pricard 172). Given this fear, some individuals resorted to extreme measures, including harassment and even murder, targeting homosexuals. It is important to note that in Elizabethan society, there were no legal proceedings against these heterosexual individuals who fought against homosexuals because homosexuality itself was deemed illegal (Pricard 172).
Homophobia, a prevalent issue during Elizabethan times and in modern America, is characterized by intense fear and anti-homosexual sentiments. Individuals strive to eliminate homosexuality from the country, leading to the emergence of this specific phobia targeting homosexuals. While it is now illegal to murder someone based on their sexual orientation, harassment remains widespread. Homosexual individuals are currently resorting to legal measures in their fight for rights but face obstacles and setbacks due to pervasive fear and hostility.
During Elizabethan times, women were perceived as weak and vulnerable, leading to pronounced gender role disparities in comparison to today. Husbands regarded their wives as domestic servants solely responsible for household chores, thereby reinforcing the notion that women were owned by men (“Elizabethan Women” and “Marriage and Family”). Conversely, contemporary American husbands treat their wives with fairness and parity, affording them the same respect as any other individual in society.
The concept of women being strong and confident is contrasted with Elizabethan times, where men held a head-of-the-household position and had complete control over their households (“Marriage and Family”). In modern America, women frequently assume the role of household leaders, giving instructions to men on various tasks and their timing. The transformation of gender roles since Elizabethan times has allowed women more opportunities to make valuable contributions to society. During the Elizabethan Era, women were limited to domestic occupations or fulfilling the role of housewives (“Elizabethan Women”).
Now, women can explore any career option they are interested in, and have just as much opportunity as men. This same equality applies to the field of politics. During the Elizabethan era, women were prohibited from both voting and running for government positions (“Job List”). Today, in modern America, women are granted equal influence in politics as men, including voting and running for governmental positions (“Job List”). These various career fields that are now accessible to women typically require a college education and schooling.
During the Elizabethan era, boys had the chance to go to school while girls had to depend on a private tutor for education, provided their parents could afford one. However, this was not feasible for most families due to financial limitations. Similarly, college education was exclusively limited to boys during that period and girls were unable to obtain a degree. In comparison, today’s society showcases an unequal gender representation in college enrollment with 77 men enrolled for every 100 women attending college.
Advancements in women’s knowledge are shown by the statistic. Women’s jobs have greatly evolved since the Elizabethan Era, and men have also made significant progress. During that era, men did not assist with household tasks or participate in childcare (“Marriage and Family”). Nowadays, though, men can choose to be full-time homemakers and take on responsibilities such as childcare and household duties. As a result, women can opt to work outside of their homes while receiving complete support from their male partners.
Both in Elizabethan times and today, there are similarities in the perception of homosexuality. However, it is important to acknowledge that there are also individuals who actively oppose discrimination against homosexuals. Unlike during the Elizabethan era, killing someone based on their sexual orientation is now illegal (“Homophobia”). Although some individuals continue to harass gay people, others provide support and empowerment to help them resist mistreatment and violence. In the Elizabethan era, everyone believed that homosexuality was immoral and should be excluded from society (“Homophobia”). Presently, certain states have legalized same-sex marriages.
Shakespeare’s plays were magnificent during the Elizabethan times, but if he had lived in present-day America and embraced America’s mindset on gender roles, they could have been even better. While Shakespeare primarily focused on heterosexual love in his works (“Revisiting Gender”), he could have explored themes of gay love. This would have expanded Shakespeare’s range of storylines and added an intriguing twist. Additionally, Shakespeare rarely depicted the occupations of his male and female characters in his plays. Today, he could have dedicated an entire play to highlighting the jobs held by men and women (“Revisiting Shakespeare”).
There are countless societal roles that both men and women can fulfill, allowing for endless possibilities of collaboration. Shakespeare adapted his character’s behavior to appear more masculine, as the roles were performed by men (“Revisiting Shakespeare”). This decision significantly impacted the audience’s perception of the play, depriving them of an accurate portrayal of the female character’s beauty. Nowadays, Shakespeare could have easily tailored his female characters to reflect femininity, considering the abundance of women in Broadway and theatrical professions.+
The text suggests that understanding Shakespeare’s thought process while creating characters is crucial. It emphasizes how Shakespeare was mindful of gender roles during his time, adhering to the prescribed societal expectations for men and women (“Revisiting Shakespeare”). In the Elizabethan era, this meant granting men superior authority over women, reinforcing these gender norms. Today, Shakespeare would have had the freedom to write without conforming to any guidelines or restrictions.
Despite some similarities between Elizabethan times and today, women have made significant progress in establishing their equality to men. This progress is evident in the acquisition of voting rights and access to quality education, granting women the ability to match any task that men can undertake. Additionally, modern American society allows men to adopt roles previously reserved for women, such as that of a housewife. Furthermore, the presence of homosexuals in society has highlighted the experiences of individuals who have faced tremendous abuse. In summary, the roles of both men and women have undergone substantial transformations since the Elizabethan era, while still preserving certain moral and ethical values.
Works Cited
Pricard, Liza. Elizabeth’s London: Everyday Life in Elizabethan London. London: Macmillan, 2005. 172. Stear, John. “What is Chronobiology?” Circadiana. 12 Jan. 2005. 11 Apr. 2008
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“Homophobia.” Anti-Defamation League. 9 Apr. 2008. “Marriage and Family.” Life in Elizabethan England. 26 Mar. 2000. 9 Apr. 2008
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“Elizabethan Women.” Elizabeth. 9 Apr. 2008 . Women’s Job List. 9 Apr. 2008 . Mortenson, Tom. “Boy Projects Statistics.” Boys Project. 26 Apr. 2006. 10 Apr. 2008
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Gerlach, Jeanne, Rudolph Almasy, and Rebecca Daniel. “Revisiting Shakespeare and Gender.” Willa. 1996. 11 Apr. 2008 .
