Constructions of Female Homoeroticism in Early Modern Drama

In this review of Constructions of Female Homoeroticism in Early Modern Drama, the reviewer finds a focused, scholarly study best suited to readers interested in gender, sexuality and dramatic literature of 1580-1660. The single biggest reason to buy is its sustained attention to nearly seventy plays that reveal how playwrights constructed diverse tropes of female desire, showing that early modern drama treated female homoeroticism as a recognizable dramatic subject rather than a marginal or purely male concern. This review assesses clarity, evidence and usefulness for research and teaching.

Key Features

• Scope: Examines representations of love and desire between female characters across nearly seventy plays written between 1580 and 1660, giving a broad historical range for comparative study.
• Argument: Argues that playwrights of late sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century England constructed richly diverse tropes of female homoerotic desire, challenging assumptions about gendered visibility in period drama.
• Varied scenarios: Traces female homoeroticism through playful mistaken identity, anxious amorous intrigue, predatory encounters and utopian romantic depictions, which helps readers see patterns across genres.
• Critical recovery: Provides evidence that early modern writers were aware of female homoeroticism, useful for scholars revising literary histories that emphasize male homosexuality.
• Research utility: Suitable as a reference for seminar teaching and further research because of its multiple examples and focused thematic readings.

Who It's For

This book is primarily for scholars, graduate students and advanced undergraduates working in early modern literature, theater studies, gender studies and queer history who need detailed readings of dramatic texts that foreground female same-sex desire. Instructors building seminars on sexuality in Renaissance drama will find the material useful as a basis for class discussion and further reading lists.

Readers looking for a general popular history or a broad survey of social attitudes beyond drama may prefer a more generalist introduction; this work is strongest as a focused piece of literary criticism rather than a sweeping cultural history.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Detailed textual readings that demonstrate how specific plays stage female homoerotic situations, aiding close reading and citation.
• Broad coverage of nearly seventy plays provides comparative breadth across 1580-1660 drama.
• Argues persuasively that female homoeroticism was thematized in varied tropes, which expands critical narratives about sexuality in the period.

Cons

• The focus on dramatic examples means readers seeking social or legal context outside theater will need complementary sources.

Specifications

Title	Constructions of Female Homoeroticism in Early Modern Drama
Series	Early Modern Cultural Studies 15001700
Author	D. Walen
Period covered	1580-1660
Primary focus	Representations of female homoerotic desire in drama
Number of plays discussed	Nearly seventy

Our Verdict

Constructions of Female Homoeroticism in Early Modern Drama is a narrowly focused and well-argued contribution for scholars and teachers seeking sustained readings of same-sex female desire on the early modern stage. Its coverage of many plays and clear thematic framing make it good value for research and advanced courses, although those wanting broader social context should pair it with complementary historical studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover plays across the whole period 1580-1660?
Yes; the study examines nearly seventy plays written between 1580 and 1660 to show changing and recurring tropes of female homoeroticism.

Is the book suitable for undergraduate coursework?
Yes; advanced undergraduates and graduate students in literature, theater and gender studies will find it appropriate for seminar use and research reading.

Does the author address social or legal history outside of drama?
The emphasis is literary and dramatic; readers seeking broader social or legal context should consult additional historical sources.