Queer Theater: The Performance of Gender and Sexuality in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
English
Faculty Mentor
Matthew Fike, Ph.D.
Abstract
My essay argues that gender and sexuality are a performance that is influenced by the environment of the characters in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. A critical point raised by Nancy K. Hayles is that when Rosalind is disguised as Ganymede, she finds it easy to perform the role of a male. The concept of gender (and sexuality) as a performance forms the foundation of my argument. I also support my argument with queer theorist Judith Butler’s ideas on gender and sexuality as a performance. My thesis is “Shakespeare’s As You Like It derails the conventions of sexuality and gender, proclaiming the idea that they are performative in nature and influenced by a character’s environment.” My essay is an examination of gender and sexuality in As You Like It, involving the context of early modern England, Shakespearean theater, the mythology of Ganymede, and Shakespeare’s references to Marlowe’s Hero and Leander. I argue that gender and sexuality are a performance, especially in the Forest of Arden, because Rosalind is in disguise as Ganymede and Orlando play acts with her. I was able to conclude that the location is a necessary device that affects the outcome of a performance of gender and sexuality, as well as the mythology of Ganymede being an essential component to understanding Rosalind’s performance of Ganymede.
Course Assignment
ENGL 305 – Fike
Start Date
21-4-2017 2:45 PM
Queer Theater: The Performance of Gender and Sexuality in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It
West Center, Room 217
My essay argues that gender and sexuality are a performance that is influenced by the environment of the characters in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. A critical point raised by Nancy K. Hayles is that when Rosalind is disguised as Ganymede, she finds it easy to perform the role of a male. The concept of gender (and sexuality) as a performance forms the foundation of my argument. I also support my argument with queer theorist Judith Butler’s ideas on gender and sexuality as a performance. My thesis is “Shakespeare’s As You Like It derails the conventions of sexuality and gender, proclaiming the idea that they are performative in nature and influenced by a character’s environment.” My essay is an examination of gender and sexuality in As You Like It, involving the context of early modern England, Shakespearean theater, the mythology of Ganymede, and Shakespeare’s references to Marlowe’s Hero and Leander. I argue that gender and sexuality are a performance, especially in the Forest of Arden, because Rosalind is in disguise as Ganymede and Orlando play acts with her. I was able to conclude that the location is a necessary device that affects the outcome of a performance of gender and sexuality, as well as the mythology of Ganymede being an essential component to understanding Rosalind’s performance of Ganymede.
