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Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyse how the different degrees of female transgression, everyday and extraordinary, were perceived and written about in cheap literature of sixteenth and seventeenth century Britain. It argues that literature and reality were not synonymous and the attitudes expressed towards certain types of female transgression, like crossdressing, greatly differed in literature compared to reality. Everyday female transgression like scolding, aggression and control could be featured in humorous ballads but serious female transgression like murder and infanticide was not presented in the same way. Murderous women in literature could be demonised, turned into monsters, and even received help and enticement from the Devil. Actual cases of infanticide though, were sad and a result of dire circumstances and societal attitudes. Sensationalism was an unsurprising element of cheap literature. Despite society believing women were the weaker sex, cheap literature could give them agency and significant power but at a cost. Misogyny was commonplace and patriarchy could be reinforced in a number of ways. Being a woman in early modern Britain was problematic in reality and literature.

Course: History - BA (Hons) - C1087

Date Deposited: 2021-07-27

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13701.html