User:Mysamyra/sandbox

Connections to History
The events and themes of The Fair Maid of the West have been connected to the history of Elizabethan England, specifically Elizabeth I, the politics of piracy, and give insight to ideas surrounding collective Early Modern English identity.

Bess and Elizabeth I
Being titled the “Fair Maid,” the character Bess encompasses multiple definitions of ‘fair:’ whiteness, beauty, nobility, charity, and chastity; all traits that were heavily associated with Elizabethan iconography and Elizabeth I’s political image as Queen of England. As an unmarried, financially elevated, and powerful woman, Bess thematically addresses the anxieties surrounding Elizabeth I as a female head of monarchy. Furthermore, Bess’s relationships to the men of the play and her multiple occurrences of cross-dressing repeatedly confront accepted gender and power hierarchies and create multiple cases in which Bess defines her own empowered social standings, rather than allowing English patriarchal society or the men around her to define her role or power.

Being attributed “of the West” establishes the character of Bess, and so Elizabeth I, as a symbol connected to the land of England itself, rather than any specific monarchical line; especially pertinent given the anxiety of Elizabeth I’s unmarried status and lack of any biological heirs. It is also a marker to the relationship England had with the Atlantic Ocean, in which England not only sought to venture out into its own pursuits of empire, but engaged in multiple conflicts with both Spain and Portugal, whose maritime presence was already heavily established.

Piracy
Seeking to expand English influence and presence at sea, piracy under Elizabeth I’s rule became a government sanctioned resource. Francis Drake and his sacking of the port of Cádiz, Spain is referenced directly in first few lines the play, but The Fair Maid of the West not only references Drake, piracy, and its beneficial financial results; the play also tackles the relationships between piracy and its ties to national allegiance. The loyalty of privateers at the time was paramount; the men carrying out the acts of violence and theft coming into possession of large quantities of goods held the threat of becoming too independent. In order to aid in securing their loyalty, Elizabeth I gave extremely valuable gifts that symbolized and uplifted her image and reign to privateers, most notoriously Francis Drake.

The Drake Jewel, appearing in two of Francis Drake’s portraits, both painted by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger in 1591 and 1594, is an example of Elizabeth I’s gifts and the valuable ties of personal and political relationship they created. Currently on loan in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Drake Jewel is a locket composed of enameled gold decorated with inset diamonds, rubies, and a hanging cluster of pearls. The exterior is an intaglio cut dual cameo of sardonyx; the bust of an African male in profile superimposed over that of a European female. The interior of the locket cover is a phoenix, one of Elizabeth I's emblems, and the interior of the locket itself holds a miniature portrait of Elizabeth I, painted by Nicholas Hillard. Given as a sign of Elizabeth I’s favor and Drake’s favorable standing, the jewel and the portrait it contained, to be worn on his person, was a continuing representation of his loyalty, devotion, and allegiance to the crown.

Bess, like Drake, upon taking to the sea where she engages in piracy against the Spanish, addresses the presence of Elizabeth I and the privateers acting in her name; Bess not only maintains fidelity to English interests, she is presented as both honorable and charitable in her interaction with the Spanish sailors.

Bess and National Identity
Like the Drake Jewel, a layered journey of contrasting identities leading to and uplifting the inner portrait of Elizabeth I, The Fair Maid of the West displays English identity through layered contrast; Bess’ English fairness, charity, chastity, and western origin are emphasized through her interaction with the non-white, non-Christian, eastern Moors of Morocco.