Gender and power are two topics that can be discussed through may of the text from early English Literature. English Literature has had a huge impact on literature today, and continues to be a growing genre. English Literature is the most notable kind of writing to this day, but what has actually become of English Literature as it progressed. Old English is the oldest English Literature, and this included many iconic text like “Beowulf” which is an epic text which is about power and masculinity. So how far can you go to find a huge gender difference in English Literature. Well as you may know it in the 1500s we see a powerful woman rise as a leader to many, her name is Elizabeth I. Elizabeth I the first was living during the English Renaissance
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So given this we can see at those times women were only seen as people there to serve their husbands. So when in the “Elizabeth I” text we see Elizabeth with her speeches, we see a strong powerful woman, whom is more superior than her subjects. So given these facts we can see the growth of woman in English Literature, maybe even giving future influence leading up to a more equal society. In relation, we can see a kind of confidence in both of them, but one needs to continue beating the antagonist to death to feel much more confident in his skin, and the other merely needs to assure herself of power and superiority. Old English text were based on the practice of men being physically and mentally more prepared than women, and as years progress we can see such a change in thoughts with the “Elizabeth I” text and so forth. In addition, in “Beowulf”, we can see a constant battle between Beowulf and himself. His defeat masks the need for a challenge to prove his worth. This also goes for Elizabeth in the “Elizabeth I” text she continuously hides the fact that she had to have a man to help her rule to make her people happy, but she knows in her mind that a man would take over her role. Not only did she face trying to hide this fact, but she continued to grow and jump over the criticism of her not fit to be a single leader for her people. This being said there is still not that equal society where women can be as superior as men, but it was a huge change from the “Beowulf”
So given this we can see at those times women were only seen as people there to serve their husbands. So when in the “Elizabeth I” text we see Elizabeth with her speeches, we see a strong powerful woman, whom is more superior than her subjects. So given these facts we can see the growth of woman in English Literature, maybe even giving future influence leading up to a more equal society. In relation, we can see a kind of confidence in both of them, but one needs to continue beating the antagonist to death to feel much more confident in his skin, and the other merely needs to assure herself of power and superiority. Old English text were based on the practice of men being physically and mentally more prepared than women, and as years progress we can see such a change in thoughts with the “Elizabeth I” text and so forth. In addition, in “Beowulf”, we can see a constant battle between Beowulf and himself. His defeat masks the need for a challenge to prove his worth. This also goes for Elizabeth in the “Elizabeth I” text she continuously hides the fact that she had to have a man to help her rule to make her people happy, but she knows in her mind that a man would take over her role. Not only did she face trying to hide this fact, but she continued to grow and jump over the criticism of her not fit to be a single leader for her people. This being said there is still not that equal society where women can be as superior as men, but it was a huge change from the “Beowulf”