First two were mentioned before - Cordelia's sisters, Regan and Goneril, who could say whatever their father required, could lie how much they love him, just to recieve promised money. In a different Shakespearean work "Hamlet" we can find, in my opinion, the weakest female figure - Ophelia, who is torn between her Hamlet and her family - father and brother. Moreover Ophelia is a sweet and innocent young girl, the epitome of goodness and, unfortunately, she is also childlike and naive. Despite the fact that her love for Hamlet is really strong, she obeyed the fathers rules - not to see Hamlet again. Furthermore, to family she was only a woman whose purpose was to be dutiful wife and mother, to Hamle she was like a sexual object.
Jane disregarded the stereotypes of a traditional woman to earn respect for herself. Jane's idea of equality is not out of reach by today's society, but the views of people in her era, she was a very liberal women which caused more narrow-mindedness towards her. The idea of putting aside her personal opinions for a man was not acceptable for her. She is someone who is strong willed and independent, and hated when people controlled her. It’s been argued that the end of the novel, Jane Eyre conforms to the expected roles and stereotypes of the Victorian Era, but how could Jane spend her entire life trying to be her own person and then just give it up so easily?
In Shakespeare 's Taming of the Shrew, the whole play centers around Petruchio trying to “tame” Katherine and forcing her to be the traditional submissive wife. Set in the Elizabethan era, the play also compares love versus economic value and how social status influences marriage in the 16th century. Bianca, quiet and innocent, plays the traditional role of a woman well, while Katherine rebels and refuses to be ordered around by any man. While both men and women in the play don 't always line up with traditional gender roles, it is the women (Katherine, specifically) are punished. In today 's society, Kate could be seen as an independent woman who doesn’t need a man but instead, Kate is depicted as a crusted, unmanageable shrew in which by the looks of it, will die alone if she doesn 't curb her attitude.
The role of women in society has become a question of interest for writers for some centuries, since these have traditionally been depicted as mere objects of pleasure, that also were responsible for the household chores, as well as nurturing and taking care of the children. Furthermore, the way women were represented was completely opposite to men, as if gender determined one’s personality, intellect or skills. Women were seen as the weak ones, too emotional, incapable of reasoning and dependent on the males of their family (and afterwards, their husbands). On their behalf, men were the rational and intelligent part of the relationship, strong and the leaders. This opposition is clearly represented in the stories “Woman Hollering Creek” by Sandra Cisneros and “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, two authors that focus on the female character and approach the topic exposed before.
She tends to arouse controversy. Firstly, Patient Griselda represents other women as the weak and really hopeless creatures who do not have any rights and are totally dependent on the men. Without men's instructions and help they are not able to do some particular activities. It means that wives should be fully submissive to their husbands who do not show any respect for them. That is why, the acts of Griselda seem to be absurd.
Despite the fact that they were desirable creatures who provoked the attention of males all over the world, who’s beauty was appreciated and who’s input were vital when it came to keeping the household together and raising children; women did not have the ideal place in society. This was because they were seen as the weaker gender, they had to be satisfied with being ruled by males, and before the revolution of women empowerment, those who were feminists by heart had to suffer in silence. It was highly inappropriate for a woman to step out of line and in some countries such an action would even be punishable by death. The French constitution of 1792 banned women from public life, and Emperor Napoleon’s Civil code of 1804 was implemented in Europe, subsequently. This code denied women any legal rights and access to divorce, which meant that their husbands had control over them, confining them to a subordinate, domestic role.
Femininity in Shakespeare’s time seems to have meant submission and gentleness, while masculinity was characterized by strength and both social and financial power. Subordination, submission, and skill in care giving were valued in women, and they were expected to keep their opinions to themselves.As far as the leading male characters in The Merchant, are concerned, they all are of a patriarchal bent of mind. Their attitude towards women shows that they do not think them of prime concern for them. For them, other worldly things such as money and their relationship with men are more important than their relationship with women. Directly or indirectly they all seem to be anti-feminists.
In contrast to king, queen hermione portrays the 15th century women who were treated unequal to men. At that time they must be loyal, innocent and honest whom their men play like a puppet. The cultural practices and belief has created a kind of barrier for women where they were always overshadowed by cultural dominance. During
Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” set in the nineteenth century and William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” set in the medieval period are two plays that clearly depict the male dominance and societal conservativeness that existed a few centuries ago. Women were protected by the men in their lives and were expected to return the favor by being dutiful daughters, wives and mothers. Their opinions and interests were of least importance. At certain stages, the female protagonists of Ibsen’s Nora Helmer and Shakespeare’s Ophelia have had their share of adversities. Let’s analyze how they approached the situation when they lost support from their men and how their actions determined their fate.
Women now are much more intelligent, powerful, and of course beautiful. Compared to the 18th century where women were described as more like servants towards the husband, they could not say anything or do as they please just like in the story; even in marriage. In this time, women were below men, and this is because men have been given this power of supremacy over their wives once they became husband and wife. After reading this story for the first time, it was very clear right way that during that time women was portrayed as a prisoner to their husbands. However, this should be common knowledge that marriages in all different forms are not always about mutual feelings.