Gender Inequality In King Lear

Does gender inequality exist in British Literature: “King Lear

Gender equality has become a more popular issue reinforced by the public in the past few decades where women’s rights in terms of work, election and divorce are widely raised since the 1960s. However, in the past the importance of the position of women is not often emphasised in the British culture. Thus, I am interested in uncovering this phenomenon by choosing a prestigious English classical play, “King Lear” written by the well-known writer, William Shakespeare in English literature.

In “ King Lear”, Shakespeare had his unique ways of interpreting the presentation of women and he showed aspects of the double standard and misogyny when women confront authority in the society dominated by patriarchy.

Thus, I aim to discover whether females are presented fairly in this play by the analysis of the script with reference of other relevant articles and books in the modern society to justify my arguments.

Chastity is seen as the symbol of women in the Jacobean era. Compassion and generosity are the essences of the chastity of women and they are asked to follow these principles strictly to be loyal to their husbands. If men do not have morality and loyalty to their wives, they do not have the superiority to demand their wives follow Christian values and remain chaste. The so-called “ double standard “ criticised by puritans, explored by Dusinberre , attacked male’s duplicity in expecting female chastity and obedience whilst they remained corrupt. Instead of oppressing females, she claimed puritans revolutionary “double standard” was created for both genders to follow. Interestingly, Goneril and Regan illustr...

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...her wisdom.

Additionally, there are many criticisms from the feminists condemning this play as an anti-feminine context.

According to Mcluskie, he “advocates the belief that Shakespeare and King Lear are both agents of conservative oppression seeking to perpetuate a governing ethos of male dominion disguised as human nature.” Human nature is presented as the equation of male power. That is to say, patriarchy is inevitable in the world created for King Lear and people are brainwashed to accept this collective consciousness in a subtle way as Cordelia are presented as obedient and filial in the play.

In contrast, some critics like Coppelia Kahn women are seen as a positive force. Thus Lear is redeemed by means of a loving non- patriarchal relationship with Cordelia. But McLuskie thinks this is only a restoration of patriarchy.