Skip to main content

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

UD English major explores representation of women, religion in early modern Europe

By Skylar Christian ’25

University of Dayton senior Madeleine Onderak visited London this summer to explore museums, rare book archives and the Shakespearean Globe Theatre and study how early modern women and feminism were expressed, particularly as they related to religion.

Onderak, an English major from Evansville, Indiana, collaborated with Kirsten Mendoza, an associate professor in the UD Department of English and associate director of the Human Rights Studies program, through the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Summer Fellowship program.

During her seven days in London, Onderak watched stage adaptations of Renaissance-era plays at the Globe Theatre. She focused her research on William Shakespeare’s The Taming Of the Shrew, which she analyzed in terms of its representation of women in situations of domestic abuse and how it has been adapted for modern audiences.

Onderak also traveled to the British Library, where she examined historical books and documents to get a better sense of the period when the 16th-century play was written and how women were perceived at the time. 

Her project draws upon her Shakespeare seminar and Survey of Early British Literature courses with Mendoza, which discussed gender and religion through 16th- and 17th-century writings. As faculty mentor, Mendoza helped add context to Onderak’s research interest of how Christianity impacted the understanding of women’s roles.

“I’ve always liked Shakespeare and wanted to continue studying his works,” Onderak said. “Women's representation was a personal choice. Dr. Mendoza recommended that the best place to do such research would be in England.” 

Prior to the trip, Onderak and Mendoza met weekly to ensure that Onderak was prepared for her in-person research by studying and discussing the plays she was planning to watch at the Globe. Each week, the two would discuss a different play. As faculty mentor, Mendoza helped provide historical context for the project. After the trip, they discussed Onderak’s findings, narrowing her focus to The Taming of the Shrew.

“In the 16th and 17th centuries, ‘human rights’ wasn’t a term,” Mendoza said. “There were still conversations about what is fitting for a Christian or a human to be exposed to. It’s about understanding the long history that connects us all. The way today's people advocate for, or push back against, human rights is connected to 16th- and 17th-century arguments. Madeleine is helping us get a better sense of the history we inherit.” 

Onderak, DSF, 2024

Onderak said her findings were not what she expected. When adapting a controversial Shakespearean play, there are two options: make it less problematic or change how the characters are presented. In its production of The Taming of the Shrew, the Globe Theatre leaned into problematic aspects of the comedy, highlighting its misogyny and abuse.

“It made me ask, ‘Should I be laughing at this?’” Onderak said “It was portrayed in almost an ironic way, staying true to what was written while also making it more palatable for modern audiences.” 

While lauded by some as a play about love, Onderak said The Taming of the Shrew has also received criticism for being a comedy about correcting a woman who does not conform to society’s idea of how a woman should behave. “The main character, Katharina, is too independent and, therefore, unfeminine, and so needs to be ‘tamed,’” she said.

Mendoza recommended the Dean's Summer Fellowship program to Onderak as a way to pursue her research from primary sources in the country where they originated, rather than a textbook or online search. The program allows undergraduate students to conduct summer research in any academic discipline under the guidance of a faculty member, with funding support from the College Dean’s Fund for Excellence. The $3,000 stipend allowed Onderak to travel to London to conduct her research. 

In addition, Onderak is a recipient of the donor-funded Deacon Scholarship, which is awarded to students whose father, grandfather or uncle is a permanent, active deacon of the Roman Catholic or Orthodox Church. The scholarship is awarded at the beginning of the student’s first year and is renewable for all four years.

Onderak’s research will be part of her honors program thesis as well as a presentation at UD’s annual Bro. Joseph W. Stander Symposium on April 23, 2025. Onderak has been selected to give a TED Talk at this year’s Symposium. 

Mendoza said this experiential learning opportunity allowed Onderak to conduct the professional work of a scholar, rather than that of a student. “These skills as a researcher and observer will be invaluable to Madeleine’s future career as an attorney,” she said.

Previous Post

NASA awards UD geologist $340K to study sediment hazards in Andes glacial lakes

Umesh Haritashya will study the potential hazard risk to glacier-fed lakes and rivers in South America.

Read More
Next Post

UD students explore Appalachian Trail through new environmental biology lab

This summer, UD biologist Chelse Prather took a group of students on a backpacking trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Read More