Gendered Politeness, Discursive Identity, and the Construction of Strong Personality in Shakespearean and Modern Linguistic Contexts

Daniel A. Vogelmann — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This research article explores the interrelationship between gendered politeness, discursive identity, and the literary construction of the “strong personality” by synthesizing Shakespearean literary analysis with contemporary linguopragmatic and gender-discourse theories. Drawing strictly on the provided references, particularly the works of Zayniddinovna and Djalilova, the study examines how Renaissance anthropocentrism and modern linguistic theories converge on the representation of authority, agency, and interpersonal power. Shakespeare’s Richard III and Macbeth, as examined by Zayniddinovna (2022), provide archetypal models of strong personalities whose power is linguistically encoded through strategies of dominance, persuasion, and emotional manipulation. Simultaneously, modern linguistic research on politeness, gender differentiation, and discourse, as articulated by Djalilova (2022) and Obidovna (2022), offers an analytical framework for understanding how similar mechanisms operate in everyday and literary communication.

The article positions politeness not merely as a social courtesy but as a strategic linguistic instrument that reflects and shapes power relations. Gendered discourse elements, including speech etiquette formulas, evaluative language, and pragmatic markers, are shown to function as tools through which strong personalities negotiate authority and social legitimacy. The theoretical contribution of this work lies in bridging Renaissance literary theory with contemporary linguopragmatics, demonstrating that the “strong personality” is not a historically isolated construct but a recurring discursive phenomenon sustained through linguistic behavior. Through detailed textual and theoretical analysis, the study argues that Shakespeare’s characters exemplify patterns of gendered and politeness-based communication that remain recognizable in modern discourse.

Methodologically, the research employs a qualitative, interpretative approach grounded in discourse analysis and literary pragmatics, integrating insights from gender linguistics, politeness theory, and Renaissance anthropocentrism. The findings reveal that strong personalities are consistently associated with the strategic manipulation of politeness norms and gendered speech patterns, whether in Shakespearean drama or in contemporary communicative practices. The article concludes that understanding the linguistic foundations of strong personality enhances both literary interpretation and the analysis of modern interpersonal communication, opening new pathways for interdisciplinary research.

International Journal Of Literature And Languages

Gendered Politeness, Discursive Identity, and the Construction of Strong Personality in Shakespearean and Modern Linguistic Contexts