Patriarchy and Gender Roles in King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream

3271 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role of the women in Shakespeare

Through his characters and characterization in both King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare sought not to reproduce the dominant ideas on patriarchy at the time, but rather to critique the ideology of patriarchy and the socio-political construction of male and female roles.

“Be advised, fair maid.

To you your father should be as a god,

One that composed your beauties; yea, and one

To whom you are but as a form in wax,

By him imprinted, and within his power

To leave the figure, or disfigure it.”

- William Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Judith Butler in her book Gender Troubles asserts that gender is a construction of an individual’s society and upbringing, believing that the concept of female and male identity is not inherent to the individual but is rather a product of society. There has been numerous debates on the concept of sex and gender, Valerie Traub in Gender and Sexuality in Shakespeare states that “Sex refers to the biological distinctions between male and female bodies [while] gender refers to those meanings derived from the division of male and female . . . the attributes considered appropriate to each: ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine.’”. In the Shakespearean period, the traditional role of females at the time was one of inferiority as their role in society was primarily domestic, forcing them to remain in the private sphere of the public. Men however, were viewed as superior and ruled in all aspects; even throughout half a century of Queens, women lived the life of the inferior sex. The patriarchal ideology was used to support this position of women in the renaissance period. Despite these ruling notions, William Shakespeare often commented, through the characters in his plays and sonn...

... middle of paper ...

... Genres. New York: Routledge, 2005. Print.

Traub, Valarie. “Gender and Sexuality in Shakespeare,” in The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare, ed. Grazia, de Margreta, Wells, Stanley. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001, 129.

Warren, Samantha. Shakespeare On Gender Roles. https://suite101.com/a/shakepeare-on-gender-roles-a330914. n.d . Web. March 18 2014.

Webb, C. Allen. Literature & Lives: A Response-Based, Cultural Studies Approach to Teaching English. National Council of Teachers of English. 2000. Web

The Role of Inversion in Kings Lear. http://voices.yahoo.com/the-role-inversion-shakespeares-king-lear-11582864.html?cat=44. August 6 2012. Web. March 16, 2014.

Gender Studies in King Lear and Macbeth. http://www.thetutorpages.com/tutor-article/a-level-english/gender-studies-in-king-lear-and-macbeth/4308. March 21 2012. Web. March 16 2014.

Show More
Related

  • Much Ado About Nothing - A Feminist Perspective of Hero

    915 Words  | 2 Pages

    Neely, Carol Thomas.  “Shakespeare’s Women: Historical Facts and Dramatic Representations.”  Shakespeare’s Personality.  Ed. Norman N. Holland, Sidney Homan, and Bernard J. Paris.  Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989.  116-134.

    Read More

  • Gender Equality In Hamlet Essay

    1921 Words  | 4 Pages

    For years, gender equality has been a major issue in the world. Women considered to be weaker and less significant than men were as they did not have the same right and women were supposed to stay home and watch the children. Shakespeare is one of the few people of his time to support gender equality, as the role of women has been a theme in several of his famous plays such as Macbeth and Hamlet. In Hamlet, Shakespeare promotes support for gender equality by creating empathy by displaying the downfall of the women as a result of their obedience, dependence on men, and mistreatment by men.

    Read More

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream - Battle of the Sexes

    576 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagine being a woman in sixteenth century Europe. Females were raised to believe that they were subservient and that men knew better on any subject. Basically, women had no rights. They were considered property, first “owned” by their fathers and then control was “transferred” to the husband chosen for them. Marriage was not about love, but in most cases, it was a business deal that was mutually beneficial to both families – an interesting fact is that like young women, most young men had no choice in the selection of their future betrothed. These traditions and the gender roles assumed by men and women at that time had an impact on Shakespeare’s writing and performances and a great example of this is evident in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

    Read More

  • Lady Macbeth: A Dynamic Character

    1263 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kemp, Theresa D. Women in the Age of Shakespeare. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2009. Print.

    Read More

  • Gender Bias in Othello

    1865 Words  | 4 Pages

    Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine comment in the Introduction to Shakespeare: Othello that sexism is a big factor  in the play:

    Read More

  • Feminist Criticism Of Feminism

    989 Words  | 2 Pages

    “King Lear” by William Shakespeare is a tragic play. There are so many theories that could be applied to this play, but the Feminism theory is the best way to describe all the conflict happening. Overt time, we realize that the women are the cause of everything that happens. The way Shakespeare writes about women is opposite from societies view on them. The women he writes about are considered the stronger sex, but at the time, men were the ones who ruled the kingdoms. Everything in a kingdom is run by men, but in this play, women slowly take over it.

    Read More

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream - The Feminist Subtext

    1900 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Feminist Subtext of A Midsummer Night's Dream Shakespeare's works have persistently influenced humanity for the past four hundred years. Quotations from his plays are used in many other works of literature and some common phrases have even become integrated into the English language. Most high schoolers have been unsuccessful in their pursuit of a degree and college students are rarely afforded the luxury of choice when it comes to studying the board. Many aspects of Shakespeare's works have been researched but one of the most popular topics since the 1960s has been the portrayal of women in Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, histories and sonnets. In order to accurately describe the role of women in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, one must first explore the female characters in the text.

    Read More

  • Hierarchy In Hamlet

    1562 Words  | 4 Pages

    Male characters sexualize the female characters to fulfill their own sexual desires and possessive and dominant members in society. They are constantly sexualized and degraded through speech and action, while denied rights to speak, act, and think for themselves. Men view women as nothing more than objects at their disposal, for their pleasure, and their success. According to Cixous, male writing, one such as Shakespeare’s, “has been run by libidinal and cultural - hence political, typically masculine-economy; that it is a locus where the repression of women has been perpetuated, over and over, more or less consciously, and in a manner that’s frightening since it’s often hidden and adorn” (T&C 1945). By this, she means male writers inaccurately portray women across their works because they cannot ever be inside the mind of a woman. Therefore, in order to accurately portray women in writing and more specifically theatre, female writers must produce an honest

    Read More

  • Gender Identity And Alternative Sexualities In Twelfth Night, By William Shakespeare

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    This paper will look at the different conceptions highlighted by Bulman in his article through the use of different methods used by the actors in the play. Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare captures the different conceptions of gender identity and different sexualities within the Elizabethan period.

    Read More

  • Challenged Gender Roles in Shakespeare´s Macbeth

    725 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare dramatically shows what can happen when our common gender roles are broken. He shows the power that people can have over others when they aren’t acting the way they’re expected to.

    Read More

  • Gender And Sexuality In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night?

    1685 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the most prevalent of these “subtle” changes is society’s idea of gender and sexuality. Throughout Shakespeare’s time gender and sexuality were shallow concepts. It was, and is to this day, common knowledge that men are largely thought to be more superior to females. According to McDonald and Orlin, studies by European scientists and physicians suggested that males and females have the same organs, however the male organs protrude due to their

    Read More

  • Gender Inequality In Hamlet

    2145 Words  | 5 Pages

    The feminism of Shakespeare’s time is still largely unrecognized. Drama from the 1590’s to the mid-1600’s is feminist in sympathy. The author

    Read More

  • The Portaryal of Gender in Othello by William Shakespeare

    1409 Words  | 3 Pages

    The portrayal of gender roles in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, demonstrates the inferior treatment of women and the certain stereotypes of men placed on them by society. Both the male and female characters in the play have these certain gender expectations placed on them. In a society dominated by men, it is understood that the women are to be seen rather than heard. The women are referred to and treated much like property. If indeed they do speak up, they are quickly silenced. One woman’s attempt to be the perfect wife is what ultimately led to her demise. The expectations of men are equally stereotypical. Men are to be leaders and to be in control and dominant especially over the women. The male characters compete for position and use the female characters in the play as leverage to manipulate each other. Shakespeare provides insight in understanding the outcomes of the men and women who are faced with the pressures of trying to live up to society’s expectations, not only in the workplace, but also in the home. The pressure creates jealousy issues amongst the men and they become blind to the voice of reason and are overtaken by jealous rage, leads to the death of many of the characters.

    Read More

  • Gender And Gender Role In Shakespeare's King Lear

    2582 Words  | 6 Pages

    Shakespeare and his works questioned and presented the Elizabethan society, the stage used as a tool to represent larger ideas. Gender in the play is largely linked with morality, sin, redemption, fall and passionate pleasure. In King Lear there is an abuse of power, especially in regards to woman. The devouring feminine, and a fall from grace by the patriarchy ensued through incestuous behaviour, adultery and unnatural relationships leads to a fluidity in gender and generational roles. The violation of the natural order awakens divine retribution, leading to the collapse of the kingdom and chastisement eventually resulting in the rebirth of the patriarchy. In King Lear gender issues resolve from a power struggle, a deviation by the paternal

    Read More

  • Female Empowerment In Shakespeare's King Lear

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the Elizabethan Era, women were oppressed to men and had no authority and power to make their own decisions. This idealistic view of gender is defied in William Shakespeare’s well-known tragedy, King Lear, for female empowerment is central to the play. Firstly, the bold characteristics of the women contribute greatly in enhancing the plot. Furthermore, women play a major role in developing the theme of power. Moreover, when power is given to the female characters, they reveal their true nature, thus aiding with their character development.

    Read More

More about Patriarchy and Gender Roles in King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Open Document