Male Domination in A MIdsummer Nights Dream

Male Domination in A MIdsummer Nights Dream

Male Domination

For many centuries women have been oppressed, and treated like second-class citizens. Over the years, women have earned more rights and have been recognized as equals to men. Although they have earned many things, there are still some signs of them being oppressed by societies that are still mainly dominated by men. The period when Queen Elizabeth was ruling over England was no different. She was a big supporter of William Shakespeare and his acting company. William Shakespeare was one of the first feminist writers. William Shakespeare wrote the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The women in the play have no power and there is nothing they can do. The men use their power to control the women and almost mess up many people’s lives. In the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, male domination is displayed in the relationships, Theseus winning Hippolyta, Egeus controlling Hermia, and Oberon tricking Titania.

Theseus won Hippolyta in battle and doesn’t care about her feelings. Theseus is the Duke of Athens and is the governing power of all the humans in the play. Hippolyta was the Queen of the Amazons, but was then conquered by Theseus and his army.

“Hippolyta I wooed thee with my sword,

And won thy love, doing thee injuries;

But I will wed thee in another key,

With pomp, with triumph, and with reveling.” (1.1.16-19)

Theseus won her in death and destru...