The word ‘my’ emphasises the fact that she is his possession. Another interpretation would be that CW doesn’t have a name as women were seen as inferior. Therefore needs to deserve a name. This links with sexism in the 1930’s as women were the inferior and the weaker sex. This is because women were not cut out for jobs like working on a ranch like the other workmen, and therefore were seen as incapable.
Sophocles characterizes Creon as a sexist ruler who has little value for women, which consequently leads to his downfall. This ultimately reveals that possessing discriminatory traits can result in one’s demise. Sophocles characterizes Creon as a sexist man that consequently endures a harsh downfall when he displays his arrogant attitude about himself being king and his belittling attitude towards women. During his argument with Antigone, he says that because he is a man, he will never submit to a woman. Creon quotes, “Then get you down thither, and love, if you must love, the dead!
Oh sure! I get you.” This makes the reader know that candy really loved his dog and everyone knew it so they feel bad for him. Steinbeck describes candy speaking “more confidently “ to George which insinuates that he is usually quite shy and closed off from the other men as they don’t value his opinions due to his age. This indicates to the readers that candy has probably felt degraded in the past due to experiences with other men. I think Steinbeck perhaps wanted the readers to feel some sympathy towards him, as they can tell he is a good natured person.
In this case, Clerval is less visible monster, which disrupts the definition of an ideal man who should be heterosexual. Consequently, he is killed and replace from the society. Clerval’s death indicates Shelley and society’s rejection of homosexuality, asserting that the only just relationship is heterosexual. Shelly ultimately presents a fable, offering her conservative point about gender roles and suggesting that homosexual possibilities will often end up with fatal
Meanwhile in Webster’s The White Devil, there are plenty of flawed characters, as is often a typical convention of a revenge tragedy. Alisoun is by no means a perfect character, and she never claims to be, openly stating how she misled and lied to her husbands in order to achieve “maistrie” over them and ultimately, their possessions. “which shal be both my dettour and my thral” Alisoun’s mistreatment of her husbands is not born from any malicious intent, but rather from her desire for power over men, her most obvious flaw. One critic notes that Alisoun “is not bad (…) she is devoid of illusions about romantic love.” This suggests that Alisoun’s desire for ‘sovereignty’ over her husbands is, in her mind, a practical attitude as true love is nothing but an illusion and marriage is more of a business transaction, another one of the Wife’s flaws, though this is lessened by the time she meets Jankin. However Alisoun’s flaw does not make her any less likeable to readers and audiences, it is in fact this flaw that makes her relatable to audiences, and the comedic elements interweaved make her far more likeable.
(p. 25) | Very opposite from Daisy, who is “innocent” and dull. | Myrtle orders Wilson to get chairs so “somebody” can sit down. (p. 26) | Her use of the word “somebody” suggests that she doesn’t really want chairs. She is very controlling, which is odd because in this era women had a significantly lesser amount of power than men. | “He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive.” –Tom describing Wilson (p. 26) | Ironic because Daisy is found to be unfaithful to Tom as well, later in the novel.
Sarah Grimke showed this idea in her “Letters on the Equality of the Sexes” saying, “ …where any mental superiority exists, a women is generally shunned and regarded as stepping out of her ‘appropriate sphere,’ which in their view is to dress and dance.” Women were confined to being what men wanted them to be. There was no liberty or sense of independence for women and when they attempted to gain some ground on that idea they were “shunned” upon. Women were subjugated and barely above the level of slaves or indentured servants according to republican ideals. Women had no property and could gain no liberty and the only virtue allowed to them was, between their legs. The women adapted the republican ideas and with that the language to set the platform for their eventual
The wenches were mere women to play a role in entertaining men of higher class, they were not considered outcasts but also were not considered to have any worth, they were stuck in the class they were at never really being able to rise to become a peacemaker or hostess. Grendel’s mother was portrayed and seen as such a lowly character that she did not even receive a proper name. Throughout the story Grendel’s mother is only seen and described as an evil, monstrous, and manly person. Not one positive characteristic is given to her. She is referred to as a descendent of Cain, one of the first humans to be truly sinful and evil in gods eyes.
In both Antigone and Merchant of Venice, women are minimized and are not taken into account by higher classes. Portia, in Shakespeare’s work, has more ability to solve problems rather Antigone and Ismene in Antigone. This is because Creon, king of Thebes, desires “weak women” who are “not framed to contend with men”. Creon views women in a much lower level where they are not able to do anything. He believes their opinions are immoral and that they don’t have the ability to rule a city.
He depicts women as completely sexual creatures and also devalues women in the eyes of men. The way we have viewed women from the 1600’s to now has changed dramatically. In the 1600’s, the approximate time period Shakespeare had written Hamlet, women where viewed as helpless, dependent and had no place in society. Women today are looked upon with respect and dignity because they have earned self respect, value and a place in society as hard working, knowledgeable and yet compassionate. I believe Gertrude from Hamlet, is a depthless individual who only thinks about her body and external pleasures.