Seen through his eyes: The representation of female characters in Béla Bartok's stage works

Abstract

The question of gender representation in Béla Bartok's (1881-1945) stage works is discussed through the prism of cultural studies, with reference to the intellectual, social and political atmosphere in which the composer shaped his ideas. In this sense, it is provocative to question how the stereotyped images of women influenced/merged with Bartok's personal view on women, or is it, maybe, possible that one intimate conception of female characters, reflected the composer's specific relationship toward women? The treatment of the female character will be shown through the analysis of the plot and key scenes in Bartok's stage work.