Gender Roles

Definition

Gender roles are the social and behavioral norms that are considered appropriate for individuals based on their perceived gender. These roles dictate how people should think, act, and feel according to their gender, and can vary widely across different cultures and historical periods. In the context of early modern literature, including plays, these roles often reflect societal expectations and can serve as a critique of the limitations imposed on both men and women.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ben Jonson's plays often feature characters who challenge or conform to traditional gender roles, highlighting the tensions between societal expectations and individual desires.
2. In Jonson's works, female characters sometimes possess agency and intelligence that defy their expected submissive roles, reflecting early feminist themes.
3. Men in Jonson's plays are frequently portrayed with exaggerated masculine traits, serving to critique the rigid constructs of masculinity prevalent in his society.
4. The conflict between personal identity and societal gender norms is a recurring theme in Jonson's plays, revealing the struggles individuals face when their true selves clash with expected behaviors.
5. Jonson uses humor and satire to expose the absurdities of strict gender roles, often leading audiences to question the validity of these societal expectations.

Review Questions

• How do the characters in Ben Jonson's plays reflect or subvert traditional gender roles?
  • Characters in Ben Jonson's plays often embody traditional gender roles but also challenge them in significant ways. For instance, female characters like Beatrice in 'Epicoene' display intelligence and wit that contradict the expected submissiveness of women. This interplay showcases Jonson's critique of societal norms and allows audiences to see how individuals can resist or conform to these pressures.
• Discuss the role of humor in Jonson's portrayal of gender roles and its impact on audience perception.
  • Humor plays a crucial role in Jonson's portrayal of gender roles by highlighting the absurdity of societal expectations. Through comedic situations and witty dialogues, he exposes the flaws in rigid gender norms. This approach not only entertains but also encourages the audience to reflect critically on these roles and consider their implications in real life.
• Evaluate how Ben Jonson's treatment of gender roles contributes to broader discussions about identity and power dynamics in early modern society.
  • Jonson's treatment of gender roles offers valuable insights into early modern society's identity politics and power dynamics. By showcasing characters who navigate or contest societal expectations based on gender, he engages with the complexities surrounding personal identity versus social conformity. This dialogue reflects broader issues regarding authority, autonomy, and resistance within a patriarchal framework, prompting audiences to consider how these themes resonate throughout history up to contemporary discussions on gender.

Related terms

Patriarchy: A social system in which men hold primary power and dominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.

Feminism: A movement aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women.

Masculinity: The set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with boys and men, often defined in contrast to femininity.