Why a Female Shakespeare Was Not Possible in the Elizabethan Era

In the realm of literature, William Shakespeare stands as one of the most influential and celebrated figures in English history. However, the question of why a female counterpart of Shakespeare was not possible during the Elizabethan period resonates deeply with the societal constraints and cultural norms of that era. This article explores the various factors that contributed to the impossibility of a female Shakespeare, including limited education opportunities, social norms and gender roles, theatrical restrictions, and cultural perceptions.

Limited Education Opportunities

The Elizabethan period was marked by significant disparities in educational access between males and females. While boys were afforded the privilege of attending school and receiving a classical education, girls were typically excluded from such opportunities. This exclusion was evident in subjects like literature, rhetoric, and the classics, which were considered essential for a playwright.

Social Norms and Gender Roles

The societal expectations of women in the Elizabethan era were predominantly centered around domestic roles. Marrying and raising children were the primary responsibilities expected of women. As a result, there was little room for artistic pursuits. Writing and performing in public were viewed as inappropriate activities for women, thus severely limiting their access to the literary and performing arts.

Theatrical Restrictions

The theatre was a predominantly male-dominated space. Women were not permitted to act on stage until the late 17th century. This ban on female actors created significant barriers for a female playwright seeking to have her work performed. Without the ability to see her plays brought to life on stage, a female Shakespeare would have faced enormous challenges.

Cultural Perception

Cultural perceptions of women during this period were not favorable. Women were often seen as less capable or less serious in intellectual pursuits. Even with the talent to write plays, a female playwright may have faced skepticism and her work might not have been taken seriously or recognized in the same way as that of her male counterparts.

Historical Documentation

The scarcity of historical documentation regarding female writers of the time further highlights the lack of recognition and support. Many women who did write during this period are either unknown or overshadowed by their male peers. This lack of acknowledgment makes it highly unlikely for a female playwright to achieve the same level of fame and impact as Shakespeare.

Consider, for instance, the case of Aphra Behn, one of the prominent female playwrights of the Renaissance. While she made significant contributions to literature, she did not achieve the same level of fame or impact as Shakespeare. Her experiences underscore the barriers that women faced in the arts during the Elizabethan era.

Pioneering Women in Literature

Books like Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt provide profound insights into the exclusion of women in the theatre profession. In Shakespeare's time, the theatre was a very 'dodgy' business, where women were forbidden from participating, a significant societal barrier.

Aphra Behn, one of the chief playwrights of the Restoration era, stands as an example of a trailblazer. She was the first woman in England to earn an independent life from writing. Her plays were highly successful at the time. Although her stature cannot be compared to Shakespeare's, she is among the greatest playwrights England ever produced and was very influential to many women writers who followed. "The Rover," one of her best-known plays, is a riotous comedy based on the deeds of The Earl of Rochester, a rake and adventurer. Behn's work was controversial, and she wrote openly about sex, which led to accusations of moral depravity and death threats. She was also accused of being a spy in the employ of Charles II. In her later years, she authored two important short novels, "Love Letters Between a Nobleman and his Sister" and "Oroonoko or the Royal Slave," which touched on taboo subjects. If she had lived longer, it's impossible to say what she would have achieved. She was unjustly neglected and accused of moral depravity until her works were republished in 1967, which renewed interest in her and led to the staging and republication of her plays.

Virginia Woolf, the renowned writer, was one of the earliest to recognize the greatness of Aphra Behn. In her essay A Room of One’s Own, Woolf wrote: “let all women write a rose on the grave of Aphra Behn.” Aphra Behn may not have been the first female playwright, but she certainly opened many doors for women in literature. Her enduring legacy and influential works continue to inspire contemporary female writers.