“Our Remedies Oft In Ourselves Do Lie” : Herbalism and Medicinal Floriography As Feminine Power In The Spanish Tragedy, Hamlet, and The Winter's Tale
Open Access
Author:
Larkin, Martha Ann
Area of Honors:
English (Behrend)
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Sara Luttfring, Thesis Supervisor Dr. John Gerard Champagne, Thesis Honors Advisor Mary Constance Connerty, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Shakespeare Kyd Gerard Culpeper herbalism floriography Ophelia Perdita Hamlet The Winter's Tale The Spanish Tragedy herbal sixteenth century early modern English early modern medicine
Abstract:
Academic study of gender relations during the Renaissance frequently emphasizes women’s 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 Shakespeare’s 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.
