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Full-Text Articles in History

“You Can’T Dispose Of Mercedes Lightly”: Mercedes De Acosta, Queer Women, And Queer Female Desire In The Early Twentieth Century, Katy Stehr May 2017

“You Can’T Dispose Of Mercedes Lightly”: Mercedes De Acosta, Queer Women, And Queer Female Desire In The Early Twentieth Century, Katy Stehr

History Theses

This thesis is based off of the life of Mercedes de Acosta (1893-1968), an out lesbian who was very active in the literary, theatrical, and screenwriting spheres at different points in her life. While many could consider her a “failed” artist, given that none of her works were financial successes, she is notable in this time period for the noted quality of her work, her many interpersonal relationships (romantic or otherwise) with others in her trade, and her artistic exploits on both sides of the Atlantic. Being "out" was incredibly unusual for LGBT+ identified people in this time period, and …


Frailty Thy Name Is Woman: Sarah Bernhardt And Eva Le Gallienne As Hamlet, Madeleine Ruby Faigel Dec 2015

Frailty Thy Name Is Woman: Sarah Bernhardt And Eva Le Gallienne As Hamlet, Madeleine Ruby Faigel

History Theses

In this paper I examine the issues of gender in the performances of Hamlet by Sarah Bernhardt and Eva Le Gallienne. I analyze the cultural contexts for their performances as it relates to their homosexuality both on and off stage. I place these women and their time periods in conversation with each other and then reflect this conversation onto the University of Puget Sound’s 2015 mainstage production of Hamlet starring Cassie Jo Fastabend as the titular princess.