The Gendered Body
Cross dressing was common all throughout history. Females weren't allowed on stage until the late 17th century.
Definitions
Sex=the biological characteristics of male and female
Gender= the socially and culturally produced attributes of "femininity" and "masculinity". Gender differences are not 'fixed'
Sexuality= the way one individual expresses desire for another, there are different sexual identities other than heterosexuality and homosexuality
Historical gender roles and relations
Breward (1995) culture of Fashion
‘The control of masculine and feminine appearance was constantly kept in balance, reflecting the authority in vested in constructions of patriarchal behaviour and demeanour, and the subserviant position of femininity in social discourse.’
The knight: masculine ideal
The romance of Alexander (1338-1344)
- Chivalry
- Protection
- Perfect virtue
- Defender
"Medieval superstars of masculinity"
The embroiders: feminine ideal
Album amicorum of gervasius fabricuis (early 17thc.)
- Nurturer
- Mother
- Wife
- Purity
- Home maker/tender
The courtier: ideal gentleman
Mattaus schwarz 1520-60
- Self possessed
- Good etiquette
- Highly esteamed
- Cultured
- Educated
The reader and the lover
Boucher (1756) Madame de pompadour
Even after her affair with the king of France died down she held the kings interest by reading, staying educated, and keeping up on current affairs.
Mengs (circ. 1760)
Giacoma Casanova
Celebrated pleasure. Upperclass. Seeking gratification. Egocentric. Many men would keep journals of their sexual conquests.
The Nurse and the Hero
caring patient vs. self sacrifice courageous
Sailors would have to do everything on ships including the duties that were usually considered "women's work", such as cooking cleaning etc.
The feminine world was calm women were considered to be almost decorative
20th century was one for man changes for women, in the late 19th c. suffragettes appeared (1910) grim but steely determination
Simone de Beavoir (1949) the second sex "one is not born a women but becomes one"
Feminism
15th c. PISAN (1405) "city of ladies" was written by a nun. she argued that women were capable of doing anything that a man could do
Micheal Foualt - Sexuality
caring patient vs. self sacrifice courageous
Sailors would have to do everything on ships including the duties that were usually considered "women's work", such as cooking cleaning etc.
The feminine world was calm women were considered to be almost decorative
20th century was one for man changes for women, in the late 19th c. suffragettes appeared (1910) grim but steely determination
Simone de Beavoir (1949) the second sex "one is not born a women but becomes one"
Feminism
15th c. PISAN (1405) "city of ladies" was written by a nun. she argued that women were capable of doing anything that a man could do
Micheal Foualt - Sexuality
- critical of all the previous accounts including psychoanalytical ones
- Sexuality is a set of discourse
- This explores power relations: anything outside 'heterosexuality' is seen as abnormal and perversion
- therefore sexuality discourses are a powerful form of control and regulated in society
- discourses that tell us how to experience and use the body -social constructionist
- Sociological rather than biological factors shape sexuality
Judith Butler (1990) Gender Trouble
The Ladies of Llandogen
two irish ladies who moved to wales in the 19th c. supposedly a lesbian couple, the would often dress in mens clothing together.
Interesting how the 20th c. early ideals of beauty boyish short hair flat chested
claude cahun
diana arbus
david bowe
