Date of Graduation
1998
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
History
Committee Chair
Caroline Litzenberger
Committee Member
Helen Bannan
Committee Member
Steven Zdatny
Abstract
How is it that Katherine of Aragon, a woman seemingly destined for a major impact on world events, has been relegated to the role of scorned wife and stubborn obstacle to historical progress? Beliefs about women’s roles limited Katherine while she was alive and influenced historical interpretations about her after her death. Katherine’s own interpretation of her role as a wife and mother evolved out of her perceptions of the opinions of others. The role that others had created for her was rigidly interpreted and internalized by Katherine. By not allowing herself to be used as a pawn by either Henry VIII or his enemies, Katherine demonstrated her firm conviction that she was master of her own destiny. Katherine of Aragon might have appeared to be the hapless victim of powerful men, she instead emerged as a dynamic force to be reckoned with, a force with the power to influence those same men.
Recommended Citation
Daum, Jennifer R., "Gendered expectations: An exploration of identity and power in the life of Katherine of Aragon." (1998). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 10351.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10351