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
between these two historic pieces is particularly interesting when viewed in the historical context of Elizabethan England.
Drayton’s piece suggests that the influence of women is so fleeting that they only stand a chance to be remembered if they are fortunate enough to be written about by himself.
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
time.
While Elizabeth I concedes to the subordination of women in her time, likely to build legitimacy or political capital, her assertive tone in the piece On Marriage provides stark contrast to the piece by Dayton. Elizabeth asserts that she is as strong as any king, even as strong as her father. Furthermore, she implores her court to look past her gender and recognize her devotion to country and kin. The power she commands in this speech is meant to overcome her gender and solidify her place on the throne without a husband or genetic heir. The strength demonstrated in this speech and her early rule allowed Elizabeth to eschew the traditional fragility of females in this time. Begrudgingly, her subjects eventually bent to her wish to rule and die a virgin.