Browsing by Subject "gender"

The purpose of this thesis is to compare the characters of David and Judith and particularly the notions of the ideal masculinities. The purpose is also to ask if the findings also reflect the general understanding of the Old Testament masculinities. The primary sources are the book of Judith, in particular the chapters 8-16 where Judith herself is acting and the 1. Samuel 16-18 where David is introduced for the first time. The main research questions are:1) What kind of similarities and differences can be found from these texts how they present gender and a relation to the ideal masculinities? 2) More importantly, how do these characters have been chosen to the role of hero(ine) when they do not resonate primarily with the ideal masculinity? The main reason why these two characters are chosen is their similar narrative elements and more importantly, the both characters represent the subordinate masculinities. The characters have to find alternative strategies in order to act unconventionally and to challenge the hegemonic power. Focusing on masculine and feminine qualities of the chosen characters, the presumption is that the construction of gender is embedded in the symbolical level of different cultures and can be analysed. The focus is on both female and male character, in particularly characters that do not fulfil the ideal hegemonic characteristics. The assumption is that this starting point will give a different view than if the focus was only on female characters or solely male characters. The main masculine ideals that are brought out from the source texts are beauty, persuasiveness and wisdom, prowess and courage in the battlefield and the divine masculinity. The conclusion shows that masculinity in the Old Testament is more complex than the masculinity theory normally suggests. The distinction between the hegemony and the subordinate masculinities varies a lot and the representatives in lower positions find their way to act against the unconventional roles. It is possible because the ultimate power is the divine power. God is unchanging representation of the hegemony who has power over human beings.