The histrorian James Romm portrayed Agrippina as a woman who was simply trying to escape the restrictions imposed on her by society. To quote james Romm “she stands out as the sole Roman woman to attempt to break the ultimate glass ceiling: to wield the power of a princeps, not just behind the scenes but before the astonished eyes of the senate,” Romm takes into account both the ancient writers and his own interpretation of Agrippina. Romm believes that her determination not only furthered her power but ultimately caused her downfall. He observes that the majority of Claudius move show us that Agrippina was shown as a “political asset”. 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.
Although Georgiana was the most beautiful woman in the story, the birthmark proved to be her one imperfection. “No, dearest Georgiana, you came so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature that this slightest possible defect, which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty, shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection” (Meyers 402). Even though Georgiana was very attractive, the birthmark shows that she is still human. Aylmer wanted to rid his wife of the birthmark, but no human is capable of being portrayed as perfect. Since she cannot obtain perfection, Georgiana cannot be immortal.
Woolf interprets the contrast between the women in fiction and the real women of the period as evidence that the famous characters are nothing but impossibilities imagined upon by men. She argues that only a female writer could have created characters endowed with women’s hindered possibilities. But perhaps the women portrayed in Elizabethan fiction weren’t just men being conveniently portrayed as women like Woolf claims. Perhaps Shakespeare and other authors created these strong characters as symbols of what women could’ve been, barring the legal and social injustices they faced. Lady Macbeth is undoubtedly Shakespeare’s most vicious and cunning female character.
The overall judgment of women, as seen by the furies is that they are a powerful force, not to be reckoned with, but not exactly knowable or rational either. The sky gods, such as Zeus, use the spitefulness of the furies to rebuke the actions of men, particularly when they allow a woman to have more strength than they ought to posses. This is seen with Helen, who is not seen as a mere pawn (which she “ought” to be by the standards of the day), but somehow a deceitful woman for being beautiful, and having men going to war for her. (74 – 80). This misplacement of power and station is also seen with Clytemnestra.
She spoke to Brutus kindly and lovingly, addressing him as “my lord”. Calpurnia based her argument just on her dreams and fears. She didn’t show any love or passion for Caesar, rather called him arrogant, “Your wisdom is consum’d in confidence” Calpurnia spoke to Caesar in an authoritative tone, telling him not to go, rather than asking him, lacking the gentleness that Portia had with Brutus. Brutus, in return addressed Portia with great respect and honour, “Render me worthy of this noble wife!” Portia and Brutus had mutual respect for each other and treated each other as equals. Caesar disregarded Calpurnia’s pleas simply because he did not want to give in to his wife.
A Gender Criticism of Shakespeare’s Anthony & Cleopatra During Elizabethan times woman were viewed only as the lesser gender. They did not have any power, they also took the submissive role in the relationship, and did just as their would say. Even with a Queen that herself refused to marry due possibly to refusal to lose her throne to her husband who would be King they still were view this way. Men were always the lead in a relationship and always had the power. Although Anthony in Shakespeare’s Anthony & Cleopatra does undergo a gender role reversal, it is Cleopatra’s role reversal that make her one of the most fascinating female characters in the Shakespearean canon and Anthony & Cleopatra one of the most complex Shakespearean plays.
Or is she simply playing the role and dumbing herself down purposefully as women throughout history (and even currently) have done to appease her man? If Eve really was the weaker sex why did God make Eve so powerful and give her the ability to ruin it for all of mankind? Eve is portrayed as meek and oblivious. When we are first introduced to her we are told, “Not equal, as their sex not equal seemed” (Book 4, 296). Milton lets us know from the very start that she is not equal to Adam.
Whilst any gender can be subjected to sexist behaviour, it is most commonly women who tend to be on the receiving end of it`. Functionalist and right wing sociologists might argue that sexism hardly exists in society today. Feminists would argue against this. Feminists have fought against the injustices endured by women, they do not believe in male supremacy. The fundamental principles that have existed in a western patriarchal society made women second-class citizens in comparison to men.
The above quote is basically saying that women are inferior and should be treated as such. This mind set ruins his relationship with an actress, Sibyl Vane, when he completely shuts her out because she put her Heitzwebel 2 love for him above her love of acting. His rejection leads her to commit suicide, which Henry later says that he envy’s; he wished a woman would be so foolish as to kill herself for love. Undoubtedly, Dorian becomes the embodiment of Lord Henry’s philosophies of the artistic life. As Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Amal Kassir in 'This is For the Ladies' speaks about the perceived concept of feminism that is prevalent in the 21st century and expresses her disapproval of it. Feminism basically advocates equality of men and women.However,today the notion of feminism is perceived different.To be a feminist/empowered woman is to bare your skin,dress well,talk well,and most importantly,be flirty,according to Amal Kassir. Amal Kassir through her poem expresses her abject disapproval over how the idea of feminism is painted which according to her is only degrading the females. She further questions the patriarchal society that under the guise of supporting women empowerment is suppressing and oppressing the women and makes a stand stating thatshe is 'not drowning in any man's drool'. She belive that by succumbing to the 'idealised' image of a woman that in reality does not give women the liberty of having a mind of their own,the women are being disrespectful to themselves.