She also describes herself as dominating over her husbands. She used her vocal and sexual authority to bring her husbands to complete submission. This is something feared by
Zelda and Nicole Diver in Tender is the Night are rich socialites seduced by living in the exuberant lifestyles they were accustomed to enjoying. Zelda Fitzgerald and Nicole Diver also are very dependent on their husbands for support of their lavish ways and their mental stability. In the end, both women are plagued with mental illness that is crippling, and forces both husbands to be their support system. Fitzgerald utilized the heroine Nicole Diver to symbolize his relationship with his erratic wife Zelda in Tender is the Night. In the beginning of both the Fitzgerald’s and the Diver’s relationships Zelda and Nicole are rich socialites.
Eleanor was often accused of being a demon or a witch due to her scandalous behavior at times, the rumors and stories which surrounded her, and the powerful influence she spread during her reigns. She was the ideal of a feminist before there was such a term or woman, all in an era that was completely dominated by men. For hundreds of years, thy rich and bountiful lands of Aquitaine had been ruled by the long line of Duke Williams. The most famous of these Duke Williams was William IX, Eleanor's grandfather. He was also known as “The Troubadour” and for his rampant womanizing, his talent of poetry and the arts, and for his court which became the center of European culture.
Proof: When Beatrice and her uncle Leonato discuss Benedick himself, Beatrice replies, “With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world, if a could get her god will.”¸(act: 2, scene: 1, 13-15) Analysis: Beatrice is a stubborn and picky young woman who wants to marry someone of her choice and who is suitable of her. Transition Sentence: Benedick can be stubborn about certain things and Beatrice shows the same characteristics. Subject B Detail: Benedick is also very stubborn about getting married. Proof: When arguing with Beatrice, to prove that he is better than her, Benedick mentions how every woman loves him, but that he loves none. Analysis: Like Beatrice who is very obstinate about marrying any man, Benedick is self-righteous and thinks that no woman is worthy enough for him.
The prologue to The Wife of Bath is about power. The Wife goes through many explanations of how and why she struggled to gain power from each of her five husbands. Each husband is described to have served her, and she enjoyed that position of power over them, as she describes throughout the prologue. The Wife talks about how it is the power of how she was created that allows her to use her reproductive organs in the manner that she does. This connects with power, because she is establishing the fact that she knows better than others about what humans were meant to do, and what they were not.
Furthermore, the possession experiences of female Genji protagonists may not only be a conflict among women, but also centers on Genji, who was a target of male predominance. The formidable power of jealousy arises as soon as the story begins. Since Genji’s mother Kiritsubo enjoys exceptional favor among all the consorts, she suffers from the “nasty surprise” and “humiliations”( 4) while later “The growing burden of resentment” (3) affects her health and become a fatal bow. Apart from Kokiden’s malice, we may catch a glimpse of the polygynous Heian court. The denouement of Kiritsubo seems to foreshadowing the fates of Genji’s ladies who later would be dragged into the swirl of jealousy.
They also had to be strong because their lives cover the medieval periods from 1066 - 1485. The women of the middle ages were conquered by the male members of their family. They were expected to obey their father, brothers, and any other male members of the family. If girls were to behave in a wild manner; they were beaten into obedience. Defiance was seen as a crime against religion.
In her own words she suggests even during the middle ages women then, may have wanted the same thing that many women strive for today; to be known as a woman of strength, that is not only fierce because of her words, but because of the power of her sexual instrument. “Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe. Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe. She was a worthy womman al hir lyve: Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde five” (459-462) The Wife of Bath is described by Chaucer in the General Prologue in such a way that readers can close their eyes and truly visualize her. Stylist, high quality clothes, face bold with color, bright red stockings, tight laced shoes, so new that they are absent of any creases.
Her story, although we might not know if they’re completely true, tells of a woman who knew how to use her resources to gain the maximum out of her life. The men in her life were, for the most part, submissive, scared, and a little tortured by her. That is no way for a man to act, so to get them so willing, she had to have some power over them. As much as I respect her and really like her abilities, she does have a couple downfalls. She’s pretty disrespectful and with her fifth husband, they only way she got anything was because she hit him.
Throughout the course of the play, the female characters are seen as powerful figures who are more ruthless than the men. For example, Regan and Goneril are often portrayed as strong and controlling figures, not letting anyone stand in their way of achieving their aims. They see their father as an obstacle, preventing them from getting what they want, and they treat him like this also. Although he was kind enough to give up his kingdom to be shared between two of his daughters, this wasn’t enough. Both Goneril and Regan wanted to grasp all of Lear’s powers, and take them away from him.