This course examines the representation of Amazons – legendary warrior women who defy patriarchal norms – in early modern English literature. Beginning with classical and medieval sources, we will trace how the Amazon myth evolves from antiquity through the 16th to 18th centuries. Central to our exploration are key texts by Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare, John Fletcher, Thomas Durfey, and Margaret Cavendish, which depict Amazons as both heroic and threatening figures, embodying societal tensions around gender, power, and authority.
Students will analyse how these authors use Amazons to explore ideas of female autonomy, justice, and governance, as well as challenge or uphold traditional gender roles. Through close readings and critical discussions, we will also consider the historical and cultural contexts that shape these literary representations. This course offers valuable insights into early modern literary engagements with gender and power, and is well-suited for students interested in feminist literary analysis, queer representation, Renaissance literature, and mythology.
- Docente: Honor Jackson