Theoretical Framework
A lot of the narratives studied in IH deal feature protagonists whose “primary caregiver” (to use a modern phrase) is the mother. Fathers are only partially present, and oftentimes absent altogether.
Contemporary normative understandings of parenting assume that the presence of both father and mother is necessary for the complete development of offspring. Those understandings also assign -rightly or not- specific stereotyped gender roles to each parent. One must not assume that these texts have the same assumptions as we do about parents and their respective roles. (Let us remember, these texts are from historical periods and cultures dramatically different from our own). Nor should we assume that the terms “masculinity” and “femininity” as we understand them today can map onto these cultures. However, we can research the texts, extract data, and cautiously develop a proposal regarding fathers’ and mothers’ respective gender roles, as well as the gender roles the developing young men seek to fill.
Starting from a primary assumption that we can identify a “masculinity” specific to each text, and from a secondary assumption that male and female parents “mother” and “father” in ways that help develop those masculinities, let’s discuss how a mother might (successfully or not) “father” a young man.
What is the mother’s role, if any, in the cultivation of a son’s masculinity? What is expected of these mothers? What do the mothers do, or fail to do? Is it possible to identify anything that one could call “fathering” In the mother’s parenting?
How to execute this task:
Identify TWO texts for your investigation, and one specific character from each text, who will be the focus of your analysis.
Next, pore over the texts, searching for a scene of some length that will become the centerpiece for our analysis. You will need one scene from each text. Your argument does not have to be limited to these specific scenes (indeed, extra information is very welcome!), but they do need to be at the center of your argument.This longish passage will be quoted partially or entirely in your paper and will be subject to close textual analysis,
In this stage of research, try to find answers to the following questions: What characteristics might define masculinity in this text? What appears to be the role of a mother? What appears to be the role of the father? (keep in mind that whatever you think these words mean has no value in this exercise: we want to know only how the texts themselves define these values).
Focus on Telemachus from The Odyssey, specifically the scene where Penelope is coming down the stairs (Book 1, lines 325-364) and Book 23 where Telemachus shouts at Penelope for not embracing Odyseuss Book 23 Lines 97-103
The other text to identify is Hamlet. Identify the scene where Gertrude asks Hamlet to stay back from college and he Obliges Scene 1, Act 2 lines 118-120 and the other scene to analyze is the closet scene between Hamlet and Gertrude http://shakespeare.mit.edu/hamlet/hamlet.3.4.html
The hamlet viewing report is attached as an example of how to write. Please make the writing same style as the hamlet viewing report
Place this order or similar order and get an amazing discount. USE Discount code “GET20” for 20% discount