Although she is a ‘woman’, she is considered one of the many infamous murderers and remember her insatiable appetite for power, even at the cost of human life. Not only does modern society show women who behave against these stereotypes, but so do women of all ages. Take for example Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’, and the powerplay between the characters of the Three Witches and Macbeth. The Three Witches are more strong and provoking in character as they tend to dominate power over Macbeth. The Three Witches recklessly deal with their supernatural charms, spells and prophecies which make them seem ridiculous.
Though, when actually examined, the females portrayed in both literary works do show signs of bravery and rebellious spirit, which represents the actual mind of authors, they are still oppressed by the patriarchal society to a large extent. In Frankenstein, superficially, most female characters are portrayed as “heaven-sent” angels (Shelley, 34). The soul of them is like “a shrine-dedicated lamp” and they are “the living spirits of love to soften and attract” (38), which are fully consistent with the image of women in people’s minds in mainstream society in the 19th century (Sunstein, 4). Nonetheless, the weaknesses of them, which are used by the author to criticize the unfairness of the society, cannot be neglected. The two main female characters in Frankenstein: Caroline and Elizabeth are carefully analyzed in this essay, and from Frankenstein’s narration of them, we can see the author’s deep thinking and criticism about the unfairness of society.
Romm concluded that even though Agrippina may have been manipulative and ambitious she was still able to achieve what women of the era could not. The write Cat Pierro’s argues that Agrippina the Younger’s life is one that is full of mistakes, the largest of which was giving birth Nero. Pierro interpretation of Agrippina is that she was an Austere , arrogant woman that would use her sexuality to gain power. She was jealous of any woman that tried to become close to her husband and then her son, even going as so far to order the execution of a women that her husband Claudius complimented. Eventually she vilified herself enough to turn herself not only to turn her son against her but most of the court as well.
Despite being written during patriarchal Jacobean society, the protagonist is a female, which is was highly unusual in those days. Of course this protagonist is Lady Macbeth. Throughout the play, through Lady Macbeth's actions we are forced to believe that she is evil. In contrast, the novel John Steinbeck tells a story of dreams, hopes and loneliness. We are introduced to a majorly significant and complex character, named Curley’s wife.
Gender Norms of 17th Century of the Chesapeake High mortality rate, an increase in illegitimate births, and indentured servitude are terrible conditions and hardly selling points to convince any woman to embark on a journey to the British Colonies in the 17th century. However, in spite of these harsh elements, women still voyaged through these conditions to North America to possess a better life. Woman’s rights were improved primarily through their ability to inherit, acquire valuable skills and a trade, and moreover, the fact to have an opportunity to come to the New World and marry. Deceived, these women were manipulated into believing that these false privileges would come with no trials or tribulations. The gender norms prior to the journey from Europe to North America were changed due to severe servitude circumstances, gender imbalance, late and short marriages, and high mortality.
Shakespeare portrays monstrosity through the character of Lady Macbeth in numerous ways. One way in which Lady Macbeth’s monstrosity is conveyed is through her wanting to be a more powerful than some men. For instance, she says “Leave all the rest to me”. This is unusual as it is rather commanding for a woman in that time to say something like that to her husband. Also it would have been seen as being deeply unnatural because women were seen to be of a much lower status than any man.
Elizabeth’s image was carefully cultivated; she wore an uncompromising public mask for the entirety of her reign. As a person she has been described as aloof, enigmatic, extravagant and intelligent. As a woman she had to surmount assumptions that her sex would lead her to be an inferior monarch, as well as restore the faith in the monarchy that had been dismantled by Mary’s tyrannical rule. She gained valuable lessons from Mary’s reign and used her femininity to gain obedience rather than an axe! The subordination of her own personal feelings and desires to meet the needs of her country showed a determination and dedication that inspired loyalty from her government and her subjects (Levine 1969, p.1-15).
A feminist theory approach might have one interpret “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” as a clarion to the sexual ambiguity in the text. As Marilyn French points out re: the witches, “They are female, but have beards,” in itself pointing to the gender ambiguity in the play. (91). French goes on to suggest deeper issues with regard to gender roles in a male dominated society when she notes of women, “They are aggressive and authoritative, but seem to have power only to create petty mischief.” This all seems to suggest that the witches represent members of a society, (read here: women) characterized as having no true power, and with a penchant for wrongdoing. Lady MacBeth’s wish to shed her sexual identity, as seen through the “unsex me here” line, stamps an even greater importance on the notion that traditional male qualities alone are of any
She is presented to the audience as a woman who has been hardened by her desires. “Yet do I fear thy nature; / it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness…” (Lady Macbeth, I, v, 16-17). Pretty much saying, “you are too nice for your own good.” As we go on, we learn more about her and her strong will to get what she wants. “How tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. / I would, while it was smiling in my face, / have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums / and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you / have done this” (Lady Macbeth, I, vii, 63-67).
In fact, the female characters in the novel are portrayed in such a way that they directly conflict with the idea of women's empowerment. Men Will be Men in The Handmaid's Tale Perhaps the most frightening aspect of Offred's world is not even its proximity, but its occasional attractiveness. The idea that women need strict protection from harm is not one espoused solely by the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Pat Buchanan, but also by women like Andrea Dworkin and Catharine MacKinnon. This protectionist variety of feminism is incorporated in the character of Offred's mother, and to a certain degree in Aunt Lydia. Offred's mother is just as harsh in her censorship of pornography as any James Dobson.