“Constant Art”: Concept of Love in Poetry of Mary Wroth in Dialogue with the Male Poetic Tradition

Abstract

The paper intends to analyse development of the literary representation of women in Elizabethan and Jacobean culture, forming an integral part of female authorship during this period, especially on the basis of Mary Wrothʼs poetry in the dialogue with the male poetic tradition (William Herbert, William Shakespeare). However, instead of taking aim at the male view, the genius of Wroth is to absorb it and use it for her own ends. Reclaiming the virtues of the woman through constancy, she upends the conventional views of the woman. Thus, Wroth strengthens the autonomy of the woman by allowing her to make the decision to accept a role subordinate to man.

Keywords

• literary culture
• Lady Mary Wroth
• Elizabethan Renaissance
• Jacobean Court
• William Herbert
• Third Earl of Pembroke