Introductory Lecture: Twelfth Night (historical context)

Summary

This lecture explores the recurring theme of single women in Shakespeare's comedies, particularly in 'Twelfth Night.' It delves into the historical context of single women during Elizabethan times, highlighting Queen Elizabeth's political stance on marriage and its implications. The lecture also touches on the impact of the English Reformation on single women's lives, noting the closure of nunneries and the societal pressures that ensued. The discussion sets the stage for analyzing the portrayal and fate of single women characters in Shakespeare's plays.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The lecture introduces 'Twelfth Night,' Shakespeare's last happy comedy before his shift towards tragicomedy.
• 📚 The instructor expects students to submit their thoughts on acts 1 & 2 for a response lecture to be posted soon.
• 👩 The recurring theme in Shakespeare's works is the portrayal of single women, which is significant in 'Twelfth Night' with characters like Viola and Olivia.
• 👸 Historical context is crucial, with Queen Elizabeth I being a notable single woman whose unmarried status had political implications.
• 👰 The unmarried status of Elizabeth I was used to highlight the potential issues of matrimony and succession in political leadership.
• 🏰 The Tudor Reformation led to the closure of nunneries, limiting options for single women who wished to remain unmarried and devoted to religion.
• 🕊️ The concept of the 'articulate single woman' is a phenomenon in Shakespeare's plays, often starting as strong, independent characters but facing societal pressures.
• 🤔 The lecture suggests that Shakespeare's work reflects skepticism towards organized religions, including the Protestantism that emerged from the Reformation.
• 📖 The instructor plans to discuss the character Maria in more depth in subsequent lectures, hinting at her significance as another single woman in the play.
• 📝 The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and political context to fully appreciate Shakespeare's characters and themes.
• 📅 The lecture is part of a series that will be posted on Moodle and Facebook, indicating a structured course or seminar on the subject.

Q & A

What is the significance of the character type that emerges repeatedly in Shakespeare's comedies, including Twelfth Night?

The character type that emerges repeatedly in Shakespeare's comedies, including Twelfth Night, is the 'single woman.' This character is significant as it reflects the societal and political context of the time, particularly the anxieties and expectations placed on unmarried women in Elizabethan England.

Why is Twelfth Night considered the last happy comedy that Shakespeare wrote?

Twelfth Night is considered the last happy comedy that Shakespeare wrote because after this play, textual scholars believe his comedic interest dwindled, and he began to focus more on tragic comedies, which are a different genre.

What is the historical context of single women in Elizabethan England, and how does it relate to Queen Elizabeth I?

In Elizabethan England, the historical context of single women was highly political, especially with Queen Elizabeth I, who remained unmarried. Her status as the 'Virgin Queen' was a point of political and social anxiety, as it challenged the traditional expectations of marriage and succession.

How did the Reformation under Henry VIII impact single women in England?

The Reformation under Henry VIII had a significant impact on single women in England. With the banishment of Catholicism and the closure of nunneries and convents, single women lost the option to lead a dignified single life as nuns, which was a choice previously available to them.

What was the role of single women in Shakespeare's plays, and how does it differ from their societal expectations?

In Shakespeare's plays, single women often play roles that challenge societal expectations. They are portrayed as articulate, autonomous, and sometimes disobedient, which contrasts with the traditional Renaissance constructions of femininity that favored obedience and marriage.

Why is the character of Viola in Twelfth Night significant?

Viola's character in Twelfth Night is significant because she embodies the archetype of the single woman in Shakespeare's comedies. She disguises herself as a man, Cesario, which allows her to navigate the world in a way that an unmarried woman could not, highlighting the societal constraints placed on women.

What is the significance of Olivia's character in Twelfth Night, and how does she represent the single woman archetype?

Olivia's character in Twelfth Night is significant as she represents the single woman archetype in a different light. She is a wealthy widow who has the power and autonomy to make her own decisions, which challenges the traditional roles and expectations of women in Elizabethan society.

How does Maria's character in Twelfth Night reflect the societal view of single women from a lower class perspective?

Maria's character in Twelfth Night reflects the societal view of single women from a lower class perspective. As a servant, her status and opportunities are more limited than those of Olivia, but she still exhibits a level of autonomy and wit that challenges the societal norms of her time.

What is the historical significance of the term 'Virgin Queen' in relation to Queen Elizabeth I?

The term 'Virgin Queen' is historically significant in relation to Queen Elizabeth I as it refers to her decision to remain unmarried and childless. This decision was a political statement that emphasized her independence and autonomy, despite the societal pressures and expectations for a monarch to marry and produce an heir.

How did the anxieties surrounding single women in Elizabethan England influence Shakespeare's portrayal of them in his plays?

The anxieties surrounding single women in Elizabethan England influenced Shakespeare's portrayal of them in his plays by providing a rich context for exploring themes of autonomy, societal expectations, and the complexities of gender roles. These characters often serve as a commentary on the societal norms and pressures of their time.

What is the connection between the historical context of single women and the characters in Shakespeare's comedies, such as Twelfth Night?

The connection between the historical context of single women and the characters in Shakespeare's comedies, such as Twelfth Night, lies in the reflection of the societal and political anxieties of the time. Shakespeare's single women characters often embody the challenges, expectations, and complexities faced by women who remained unmarried during the Elizabethan era.