Gender boundaries in theater throughout history

The podcast explores the long history of men portraying women on stage, dating back to ancient Greek theater. It discusses how women were not allowed to act until the late 16th century due to societal norms and expectations. The podcast highlights the restrictions women faced in society at that time, such as limited legal rights and prescribed roles as homemakers. It also mentions the negative social stigma associated with acting and how women who wore men's clothing in public were subject to arrest and imprisonment. Despite these challenges, the podcast acknowledges Shakespeare's attempts to challenge these norms through his plays, which presented ambiguous portrayals of gender and sexuality.