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Gender Roles In A Midsummer Night's Dream

902 Words4 Pages

William Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a comedy that deals with the themes of love, marriage, and gender roles. Set in ancient Athens, the play portrays various characters who are all entangled in a web of love and marriage. The play depicts the traditions of marriage and women's rights prevalent in the Elizabethan era, which are quite different from those of modern times.This essay aims to discuss the traditions of marriage and women's rights as portrayed in the play and examine their relevance in today's society, highlighting how they have evolved and no longer align with our current understanding.

In the play, the concept of marriage is portrayed as a societal obligation rather than an act of love. Marriage is a …show more content…

Ajda argues that Shakespeare's female characters, including those in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," challenge the restrictive female rights by all means of marriage of the time. She contends that these characters provide a lens through which to examine the social dynamics and evolving women's rights during the Elizabethan era. Hermia, a strong and independent young woman, challenges her traditional expectations of marrying her suitor Demetrius, whom her father Egeus has chosen as the best suitable man for her. Hermia's refusal to comply with her father's wishes demonstrates the conflict between her personal desires and societal pressures. She affirms her agency and fights for her right to choose a partner, even if it means fatal consequences.

On the other hand, the character of Helena embodies the notion of unrequited love and self-sacrifice. Helena's relentless pursuit of Demetrius, despite his rejection, illustrates the limitations placed on women in pursuing their desired partners. Her willingness to endure humiliation and mistreatment raises questions about the extent of women's agency in matters of love and relationships.

Despite "A Midsummer Night's Dream" being set in a different era, the themes of marriage and women's rights addressed in the play continue to resonate in contemporary society. While progress has been made towards gender equality and the recognition of women's rights, remnants of traditional expectations and societal pressures

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