They also believed that they were superior to women and that women should remain obedient and oppressed, and not question their husbands or fathers. The conversations that the females in the play have when they are not in the presence of men seem to prove that they have accepted society’s expectations of them, and that when they are in the company of men, they behave the way men believe to be natural. It is for this reason that when Desdemona married Othello without her father, Brabantio’s consent, he states that her actions were “against all rules of nature” (I, iii, 101). Many feminist critics view Desdemona as submissive and oppressed. Desdemona, herself, gives evidence to this claim when she states that she is “obedient” (III, iii, 89) to Othello no matter what.
In the beginnings of The Taming of the Shrew, Katherine is a quick-tongued, bold woman with a penchant for resistance, even in a male-dominated world in which others view this behavior as severely unconventional of a proper woman. This is why many of the other characters never desire her for a spouse of their own. They believe she would make “a shrewd, ill-favoured wife” (Shakespeare 1.2.57 183). The ferocity of Katherine’s beginning personality is best viewed in her initial conversations with Petruccio. Even though Petruccio acknowledges Katherine’s obstinate personality through his comment that his “remedy is then to pluck it out” (Shakespeare 2.1.209 192), Katherine still brazenly declares “Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies” (Shakespeare 2.1.210 192).
Although Seacole tries to emphasize her femininity throughout the novel, her unfeminine actions are more prevalent. Her unfeminine conduct may not surprise the reader today, however, during the time it was published proved to be appalling to its audience. “My present life was not agreeable for a woman with the least delicacy or refinement,” says Seacole; nonetheless, Seacole holds true to her aspirations and faces all obstacles head on (54). When denied by Nightingale to be a nurse on her team, Seacole does not relinquish. In lieu, she goes out on her own and builds her own hotel.
Through the character of Ismene, Sophocles shows the stereotypical weak woman, and through the character of Antigone, he shows the strong personality that woman have. Throughout the play, Sophocles shows the reader that Antigone’s character is filled with passion, determination, and bravery. Antigone’s character is strong enough to do what she feels is right, which is to have a proper burial ceremony for her brother, despite the fact that it is against the law set by Creon. Creon is determined to carry out the consequences which he set if anybody were to go against him. When he finds out that somebody has disobeyed, he reacts with fury: “What?
When Benedick says he does not like the dish, he is being disrespectful not only to Beatrice but to the people of the time. He also states that no woman will be let in to his perfectness until the woman is perfect herself. Benedick loves teasing people but will not accept the fact that people tease him. Shakespeare illustrates benedick in more detail which allows the audience to understand what type of character
Critics have described Beatrice and Benedick as characters who defy the romantic expectation. Evaluate this and other interpretations, adding your own personal responses. In Much Ado About Nothing, the principal characters of the plot are Beatrice and Benedict (though some see Hero and Claudio as the main storyline in the play) and are poles apart it first seems. Beatrice is fiery and independent, and doesn’t live up to the Victorian stereotype that her more reserved and naïve cousin Hero does. Benedick also doesn’t sit with his stereotype either, though more so than Beatrice does.
Kate, who does not want to marry Petruccio, goes from an ill tempered, stubborn woman who does not like to be controlled, to a woman who is loyal and obedient to her husband. It is through this play that William Shakespeare shows that anyone can have the power to change. In The Taming of the Shrew, the reason that Kate is known as the shrew is because she wants to go against what society says she needs to do as a woman. She does not want a man giving her orders because she feels that she is too intelligent and independent to do so. In this century, “the ideal wife, by contrast, was chaste, silent, and obedient” (Greenblatt 124).
In Macbeth, Shakespeare presents strong desires through the use of Lady Macbeth’s Soliloquy. He uses this to allow the readers to feel her passionate desire of becoming Queen, as she indirectly embraces her nature, sharing her secrets with the readers. She doesn’t want to be seen as desperate and therefore, uses this chance to speak her mind, reassuring herself about the decisions and choices she is about to make. ‘’Yet do I fear thy nature, it is too o’th’milk of human kindness’’ However, she realises that it might just be impossible to attain the authority of becoming Queen, because she strongly believes that as brave and decent Macbeth really is, he somewhat presents weak characteristics and this means that she would have to do everything in her nature to get at her husband to man up, so she begins to ridicule his manliness. The readers decide whether Lady Macbeth is a supportive or a contrary wife, as Shakespeare exhibits her as an evil character as she continuously uses negative language throughout the play giving her an overpowering presence on stage.
Women started that movement because they wanted to fight for their rights. They were intimidated, put down, and did not get much help from the people, but they still stood tall and did not give up to get their rights. Even though women are discriminated by men, they become an allied victory during Wolrd War 1. A big amount of women are being oppressed and are considered failures just because they are women. People that did not want women
Iago noticeably dominates this passage; his comments slip from general conversation to sharp, cynical comments with regards to women. The comments could be seen as blasé, not on closer inspection highlight an underlying emotion and drive. Iago is possibly one of Shakespeare’s most heinous villains due to his apparent lack of any motivation for his actions within the play. Perhaps it is because Iago never clearly voices his motivation that makes the character so shocking, he is willing to take revenge on anyone and he lacks any real moral judgement. Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Roderigo and even Emilia all fall victims to his ill will, sometimes down to the slightest provocation and the character obviously enjoys bringing pain and damage to those who fall foul of him.