Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
The Role Of Women In Shakspear - Online Term Paper

The Role Of Women In Shakspear


It is curious to note the role of women in Shakespearean literature. Many critics have lambasted the female characters in his plays as two-dimensional and unrealistic portrayals of subservient women. Others have asserted that the roles of women in his plays were prominent for the time and culture that he lived in. That such contrasting views could be held in regards to the same topic is academic. It is only with close examination of his works that we are able to suppose his intent in creating characters that inspire so much controversy. Two works, Taming of the Shrew, and Twelfth Night, stand out particularly well in regards to Shakespeare’s use of female characters. After examining ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

most controversial in his treatment of women. The “taming” of Katherine has been contended as being excessively cruel by many writers and critics of the modern era. George Bernard Shaw himself pressed for its banning during the 19th century (Peralta). The subservience of Katherine has been labeled as barbaric, antiquated, and generally demeaning. The play centers on her and her lack of suitors. It establishes in the first act her shrewish demeanor and its repercussions on her family. It is only with the introduction of the witty Petruchio as her suitor, that one begins to see an evolution in her character. Through an elaborate charade of humiliating behavior, Petruchio humbles her and by the end of the play, she will instruct other women on the nature of being a good and dutiful wife. In direct contrast to Shrew, is Twelfth Night, whose main female protagonist is by far the strongest character in the play. The main character Viola, has been stranded in a foreign land ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.


Already a member? Login


CITE THIS PAGE:

The Role Of Women In Shakspear. (2006, January 11). Retrieved March 19, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Role-Of-Women-In-Shakspear/39438
"The Role Of Women In Shakspear." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 11 Jan. 2006. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Role-Of-Women-In-Shakspear/39438>
"The Role Of Women In Shakspear." Essayworld.com. January 11, 2006. Accessed March 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Role-Of-Women-In-Shakspear/39438.
"The Role Of Women In Shakspear." Essayworld.com. January 11, 2006. Accessed March 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Role-Of-Women-In-Shakspear/39438.
JOIN NOW
Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays


PAPER DETAILS
Added: 1/11/2006 03:30:56 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1080
Pages: 4

Save | Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS
Save and find your favorite essays easier

SIMILAR ESSAYS
» The Black Plague
» Critical Analysis Of Stopping B...
» Life In The 1900's
» Atlantis
» Martin Luther King Jr. 5
» Marcus Garvey
» Sphere: Summary
» African American Women
» Howard Stern: The King Of Mass ...
» Sigmund Freud
Copyright | Cancel | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Essayworld. All rights reserved