A Midsummer Night's Dream Differences Between Men And Women
There are many differences in the way others view and treat men and women. For example, some believe that men are superior to women, and women are incapable of performing certain tasks. In William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of the main characters, Hermia, has issues with her father over her marriage. Her father wants her to marry one man while she wants to marry another and threatens to have her killed if she does not marry the man of his choice. She runs away with her lover, planning to be married to him outside of her father’s control, and the two end up running into many different problems and circumstances involving the fairy King, Oberon, and his wife, Titania. In the end, Hermia as she is able to marry the man that she chooses, even though it angers her father. Moreover, Shakespeare poses many differences between the roles of men and women. The differences are displayed by the relationship between father and daughter, the dominance of men over women, and the expectations of women. The relationship between Egeus and Hermia is very distinct. Egeus expects Hermia to marry the man of his choice despite Hermia’s wishes to marry another man. Egeus disregards his daughter’s feelings on the subject, and gives her an ultimatum: either marry Demetrius or die (1.1.40-45). Egeus feels that since he is Hermia’s father, he gets to decide what happens in her life and make all her …show more content…
He represents the expectations people hold women to, demonstrates examples of men’s superiority over women, and shows a relationship between a father and a daughter that is not typical of most families. Through the many marriages that were never planned, the love potion that took a turn for the worst, and a man who had his head turned into that of a donkey, Shakespeare brings many laughs with his shenanigans and insults embedded throughout his
Love In A Midsummer Night's Dream
1015 Words | 5 PagesA Midsummer Night’s Dream dealt with the universal theme of love and its complications: lust, disappointment, confusion, and marriage, featuring three interlocking plots, connected by a celebration of the wedding of Theseus, Duke of Athens and the Amazonian queen Hippolyta. The play rotates around different forms of love, two of them being love for friendship (Philia) and romantic (Eros) or true love. Love is the most important theme of the play and the asymmetrical love seen in the play between the four Athenians and romantic encounters cause conflict within the play. There is a strong friendship love between two characters, Hermia and Helena. These two ladies are regarded as sisters as they have grown up together always having each other’s
Examples Of Misogyny In Romeo And Juliet
778 Words | 4 PagesTheir tough archetypes were always present in many plays and reinforced the idea of male superiority. This fact held true, especially for a certain tragic classic by William Shakespeare. There was a misogynistic mentality towards women in Romeo and Juliet, evident through the way women were shown as objects, portrayed as weak, and made to seem unable to dictate their own lives. Men in Romeo and Juliet could be seen acting like owners towards women. Women were seen as nothing more than possessions, as illustrated when Romeo first described Juliet as, “My lady…/my love” (II.ii.10).
Rebellion Against Femininity In Macbeth
787 Words | 4 PagesIt’s no surprise, that Shakespeare’s Macbeth was clearly constructed as a rebellion against femininity roles of the time. During the Elizabethan era, women were raised to believe they were inferior to men since men obtained desired masculine qualities such as strength, and loyalty, whereas women were viewed as figures of hospitality (1; 6; 28-31). Obviously, not being tempted by the luxury of subservient women, William Shakespeare rebuked this twisted belief, applying that women deserve more respect than their kitchen tables.
Persuasive Speech In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
1124 Words | 5 PagesThis may also present to us that the women in this play are quite strong and independent despite the times this play is set in, Hermia's father Egeus treats Hermia as though she is his property and that she has no freedom of choice Egeus threats his daughter by death or to become a nun which shows some state of
Gender And Gender Roles In Shakespeare's Macbeth
998 Words | 4 PagesShakespeare believes that Gender roles shouldn’t be the stereotype of any relationship because the roles can be switched, and them being switched can cause a lot of trouble. When a woman thinks for men it ends up pretty bad. The play Macbeth shows that when a man follows a women's word because they love them, that's when
Women Being Objectified In Shakespeare's Othello
542 Words | 3 PagesIn Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, women are portrayed as either pure angelic beings and jewels, or as whores who are impure. They are objectified and shown as something to be used. The only women in this play are Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca compared to the main 6 male characters, not to mention the minor characters, who are also all male. Their depicted purpose is to belong to a man; Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca’s lives revolve around being wives to Othello, Iago and Cassio. This fits into the idea of a perfect Elizabethan woman, who’s lives are subject to their husband’s rule across all aspects, to be disposed of as men wish.
Sexism In A Midsummer Night's Dream
1910 Words | 8 Pages“ I beg the ancient privilege of Athens: as she is mine, I may dispose of her, which shall either be with this fine gentleman (Demetrius) or to her death according to our law, immediately provided in that case” (1.1.45-48). Hermia wishes to marry her true love Lysander, who in turn loves her as well; however, even though he is as good a man as Demetrius, status-wise, Hermia’s father, Egeus, would rather kill her or turn her into a nun than let Hermia control her life. This practice was widely done by the Elizabethans. Daughters had no choice but to marry the man their father
Lysander And Hermia's Relationship
948 Words | 4 PagesIn our scene, lines 42-179 of Act One, Scene One, the characters who try to force love upon others are seen antagonistically, while Hermia and Lysander, who strive for true, naturally occurring love, are seen as protagonists whose love should be defended. The overlying message of the play is that love should not and cannot be forced. Theseus, Egeus, and Demetrius use their power, both as nobles and men, to try and force Hermia into marrying Demetrius. Egeus, in an attempt to bully Hermia into marrying Demetrius says, ‘‘‘She is mine, and all my right of her I do estate unto Demetrius’’’ (1.1.97-98). He sees his power as Hermia’s father as a way to force her into a marriage that will benefit him.
Gender Roles In Romeo And Juliet
1408 Words | 6 PagesWithin this play, there are many conflicts between feuding families and even individuals. Since societal expectations were so great of both genders, much pent-up frustration for those who did not perfectly conform was frequently released in the form of violence or aggression. It also went the other way around, where those who did not fit all of the standards were shamed and embarrassed for the way they were. Two characters in which the gender traits were partially switched are Romeo and Juliet. In their relationship, Juliet is more dominant, and Romeo is more submissive.
Masculinity In Othello
1010 Words | 5 PagesFor Shakespeare’s plays to contain enduring ideas, it must illustrate concepts that still remain relevant today, in modern society. Shakespeare utilises his tragic play Othello, to make an important social commentary on the common gender stereotypes. During early modern England, Shakespeare had to comply to the strict social expectations where women were viewed as tools, platonic and mellow, and where men were displayed as masculine, powerful, tempered, violent and manipulative. As distinct as this context is to the 21st century, the play exposes how women were victimised by the men who hold primary power in the community in which they compelled women to conform to the ideal world of a perfect wife or confront an appalling destiny for challenging the system. Moreover, Shakespeare utilises the main antagonist, Iago, to portray how men are desperate to achieve what they want and to indirectly fulfil the stereotype of masculinity and power through manipulation.
How Is Hippolyta Portrayed In A Midsummer Night's Dream
554 Words | 3 PagesEgeus sets Hermia up for an arranged marriage with a man named Demetrius. However, Hermia is in love with a man named Lysander. Her father does not care that his daughter is in love. Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius because Egeus wants to be linked through marriage with a highly ranked family. Egues has no regard for what his daughter's heart wants.
Men And Women In A Midsummer Night's Dream
1205 Words | 5 PagesThe male roles in the family seem to be above females’ because they get to make decisions for girls. Men feel dominant to women, so the same behaviors as the women are acceptable for them. Along with these, the ladies are not expected to crave love and affection like the gentlemen do. The gender issue of men being dominant and women being submissive used in the drama, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, shows the differences in the roles, behaviors, and expectations appropriate for each gender and is an example of an outdated stereotype. Unlike the time frame of this literature, women in the present are valued equal to men.
Gender Roles In A Midsummer Night's Dream
1898 Words | 8 PagesAt that time in history, the status quo and social norm was simple. Patriarchy was the predominant force as men were regarded as superior to women, both in society as well as the relationship scene. Shakespeare attempted to change this perception through his multiple works of literature. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare uses the theme of gender roles to express the idea that the status quo and social norm in the Elizabethan era can be challenged through courtship, father-daughter relationships, and wedlock. The play commences with the courtship of multiple individuals.
Character Analysis Of Hermia In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
895 Words | 4 PagesWhat is Hermia Like? She is described as an independent individual who wants nothing but to follow her heart, but here’s the catch… That is not what her dad wants for her! She is better yet characterized as Feisty;She knows what she wants and does what it takes to get it, she was even prepared to give up on her family and way of life to marry Lysander. In this play she can be Defensive (Compelled to fight for her love and was willing to fight her friend) “
Patriarchy In A Midsummer Night's Dream
986 Words | 4 PagesThe male characters in this play often feel uncomfortable when their female counterparts break gendered stereotypes. This is the same feeling that drove Theseus to war with the Amazons. An equally important woman is Hermia: Theseus and her father have in mind Demetrius for Hermia’s groom, yet she still refuses even after a small threat from Theseus, “Be advised, fair maid. To you, your father should be as a god” (1.1.47-48). Here in patriarchal Athens, fathers are the head households and hold influence over near-all decisions.
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