Male-to-Female Crossdressing in Early Modern English Literature

Gender, Performance, and Queer Relations

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Gay & Lesbian, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Gender Studies
Cover of the book Male-to-Female Crossdressing in Early Modern English Literature by Simone Chess, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Simone Chess ISBN: 9781317360858
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 14, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Simone Chess
ISBN: 9781317360858
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 14, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This volume examines and theorizes the oft-ignored phenomenon of male-to-female (MTF) crossdressing in early modern drama, prose, and poetry, inviting MTF crossdressing episodes to take a fuller place alongside instances of female-to-male crossdressing and boy actors’ crossdressing, which have long held the spotlight in early modern gender studies. The author argues that MTF crossdressing episodes are especially rich sources for socially-oriented readings of queer gender—that crossdressers’ genders are constructed and represented in relation to romantic partners, communities, and broader social structures like marriage, economy, and sexuality. Further, she argues that these relational representations show that the crossdresser and his/her allies often benefit financially, socially, and erotically from his/her queer gender presentation, a corrective to the dominant idea that queer gender has always been associated with shame, containment, and correction. By attending to these relational and beneficial representations of MTF crossdressers in early modern literature, the volume helps to make a larger space for queer, genderqueer, male-bodied and queer-feminine representations in our conversations about early modern gender and sexuality.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This volume examines and theorizes the oft-ignored phenomenon of male-to-female (MTF) crossdressing in early modern drama, prose, and poetry, inviting MTF crossdressing episodes to take a fuller place alongside instances of female-to-male crossdressing and boy actors’ crossdressing, which have long held the spotlight in early modern gender studies. The author argues that MTF crossdressing episodes are especially rich sources for socially-oriented readings of queer gender—that crossdressers’ genders are constructed and represented in relation to romantic partners, communities, and broader social structures like marriage, economy, and sexuality. Further, she argues that these relational representations show that the crossdresser and his/her allies often benefit financially, socially, and erotically from his/her queer gender presentation, a corrective to the dominant idea that queer gender has always been associated with shame, containment, and correction. By attending to these relational and beneficial representations of MTF crossdressers in early modern literature, the volume helps to make a larger space for queer, genderqueer, male-bodied and queer-feminine representations in our conversations about early modern gender and sexuality.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Disease, Diagnosis, and Cure on the Early Modern Stage by Simone Chess
Cover of the book African Americans and Colonial Legislation in the Middle Colonies by Simone Chess
Cover of the book The Qur'an in Christian-Muslim Dialogue by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Capitalizing on Knowledge by Simone Chess
Cover of the book The Final Solution by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Insiders and Outsiders in Seventeenth-Century Philosophy by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Language, Mind and Value by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Cartels and Anti-Competitive Agreements by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Translation as Metaphor by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Beginning Family Law by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Work, Self and Society by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Transatlantic Literature and Transitivity, 1780-1850 by Simone Chess
Cover of the book The Greek View of Poetry by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Bodies Across Borders by Simone Chess
Cover of the book Trade Liberalisation and Poverty in South Asia by Simone Chess
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy