Actions for Our Remedies Oft In Ourselves Do Lie : Herbalism and Medicinal Floriography As Feminine Power In The Spanish Tragedy, Hamlet, and The Winter's Tale

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Our Remedies Oft In Ourselves Do Lie : Herbalism and Medicinal Floriography As Feminine Power In The Spanish Tragedy, Hamlet, and The Winter's Tale

Author
Larkin, Martha
Published
[Erie, Pennsylvania] : Pennsylvania State University, 2017.
Physical Description
1 electronic document
Additional Creators
Luttfring, Sara D. and Schreyer Honors College
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Open Access.
Summary
Academic study of gender relations during the Renaissance frequently emphasizes womens lack of agency and authority within a patriarchal society. Shakespearean female characters have been similarly examined as powerless and incapable in comparison to their male counterparts. Renaissance women, however, had a uniquely feminized form of power; they were medical authorities who were responsible for treating their family and community members with specific plants to cure certain ailments. This thesis first explores the historical context of herbalism and Shakespeares familiarity with its practice. It then argues how Shakespeare adapted herbalistic uses of particular plants for symbolic meanings, resulting in the creation of medicinal floriography. Finally, this thesis provides three sections of analysis wherein the female characters attempt to symbolically remedy social ills within their respective plays.
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Dissertation Note
B.A. Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, 2017.
Technical Details
The full text of the dissertation is available as an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file ; Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view the file.
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