Decoding Renaissance ‘Commonplaces’ and Gendered Dichotomies of Authentic Knowledge: A Review of Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida
Keywords:
Authentic Knowledge, Shakespeare, Ideal masculinity, Gendered dichotomies, RenaissanceAbstract
The question of what is authentic knowledge is an intriguing inquiry that can never be fully resolved however efforts can surely be made to get closer to the nature of true learning. Renaissance era was dominated with the ideals of masculinity and that obviously had similar impact on the domain of knowledge. True knowledge then was the male territory where women were denied any authority. This paper makes an effort to deconstruct the masculine commonplaces of authentic knowledge by reviewing Shakespeare’s play Troilus and Cressida in light of gendered dichotomies of the Elizabethan age. First, the dominant trends of authoritative knowledge are highlighted thereafter the play is reviewed with the intent to dismantle the gendered dichotomies and perceive the role and essence of women in creation and communication of authentic knowledge.
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Published on: 14-11-2026
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