ipl-logo

Gender Roles In A Midsummer Night's Dream Persuasive Essay

1460 Words6 Pages

Lucas Kelbe
Ms. Morgan
Honors English II
16 February 2023
Narrative/Persuasive Essay
Throughout society today, males are looked at through common male stereotypes. Young-age boys are taught to embody certain traits and behaviors that are associated with masculinity such as strength, dominance, and emotional stoicism, and if we lack these traits it can be considered out of relation to the preferred male identity. This process of becoming the perfect male involves learning the norms, values, and behaviors that are expected of men in their culture. I am often faced with situations like this where I am expected to perform better and show minimal emotion compared to a female because of my gender. These gendered stereotypes can be found in William …show more content…

Well, A Midsummer Night's Dream also challenges these traditional gender roles in a number of ways and shows some positive gender identity changes. For instance, the character of Lysander defies the societal expectation that men should be dominant and in control by allowing Hermia to make her own decisions about whom to marry. In addition, Lysander speaks out against the forced marriage arranged by Hermia's father and advocates for Hermia's right to choose her own partner, regardless of gender. Similarly, Theseus, the Duke of Athens, expresses his respect for the Amazon queen Hippolyta. While, the character of Bottom, initially played for comedic effect, also challenges traditional gender roles through his vulnerability and emotional expression, which are typically associated with femininity. Adding on, Helena challenges gender roles by actively pursuing Demetrius, despite the fact that he is not interested in her. She refuses to be passive and submissive, instead taking control of her own romantic destiny. This is also reflected in the character of Titania, the fairy queen, who resists her husband's commands and asserts her own autonomy. Overall, the play presents a complex and nuanced view of gender roles and the ways in which individuals can challenge or reinforce …show more content…

Young girls are often encouraged to pursue feminine activities and behaviors, while boys are encouraged to engage in more masculine activities and behaviors, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem if individuals do not fit into these gendered stereotypes. Furthermore, societal norms often dictate that men should be the primary breadwinners and leaders, while women are expected to be caregivers and nurturers. This can limit the opportunities available to young people and reinforce gender inequality. By recognizing and challenging these gender expectations, younger generations can be empowered to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions, regardless of gender stereotypes. The appropriate call to action would involve advocating for equal treatment and opportunities online or in movements. This is for all people and genders, including in areas such as education, employment, and leadership roles. I would highly advise you to find groups near you that care about this topic and join them. Help your community. Additionally, it can involve encouraging open and honest conversations about gender roles and their impact on individuals and society as a whole, with the goal of promoting greater understanding and empathy. By

Show More
Related

Masculinity In Tough Guise II

1259 Words | 6 Pages

Aside from misogymy, men are also expected to be: less talkative, less social, less expressive, brave, aggressive, physically built, strong, and many others. What is important from these values are how they are all the opposites from how women are supposed to act, thus giving a gender based role predictions. These gender differentiations are toxic in each of its underlying gender, however this paper is only going to discuss about how it affects the male side. All of these are stereotypes which are being imposed by society on us and strengthened as role differentiation gets into play in later parts of a boy’s life. The socialization of these values are not only being given directly from each of the boys’ parents, but also learned from interacting with their peers, and even bigger yet, medias.

Read More

19th Amendment Essay

1053 Words | 5 Pages

Currently, gender inequality, although less than before, still exists, for example in wage gaps. “The gender gap in paid work is narrowing, but women still do most of the domestic work and child care… all of which is low-waged labor” (Lorber, 2001, 6). Many expectations for male and female roles, especially in religious customs, continue to exist and “legitimate the social arrangements that produce inequality, justifying them as proper” (Lorber, 2021, 6). Women are somewhat encouraged to work more “feminine” jobs which is causing many women to continue working in more low-paying, domestic jobs. However, there are still many, and a growing increase in successful women working high-paying jobs, inspiring more women to do the

Read More

Stereotypes In A Midsummer Night's Dream

776 Words | 4 Pages

In A Midsummer Night's Dream the negative stereotype men have authority and women are powerless is used in a negative way. In the book Egeus shows he has all the authority when he doesn’t let Hermia marry Lysander. Egeus says angrily to Hermia when she refuses to marry Demetrius “Which shall be either to this gentleman or to her death”(5-43).The word

Read More

Persuasive Speech In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

1124 Words | 5 Pages

This may also present to us that the women in this play are quite strong and independent despite the times this play is set in, Hermia's father Egeus treats Hermia as though she is his property and that she has no freedom of choice Egeus threats his daughter by death or to become a nun which shows some state of

Read More

Masculinity Of Women In The Elizabethan Era

393 Words | 2 Pages

Initially, Shakespeare explored the theme of power and control by repeatedly highlighting the masculinity of men and the fragility of women of his time period. In the Elizabethan era, men were expected to be masculine, rational, and powerful. This has put a significant amount of pressure on the men during that time and hence is why Egeus’ response to Hermia’s refusal to obey his orders of marrying Demetrius was so extreme - he insists that Hermia’s marriage “shall be either to this gentleman”, Demetrius, “Or to her death”. It is needless to say that Egeus sees Hermia as his possession that he has total control over and “may dispose of her” at any time. The choices Egeus presents to Hermia is utterly unfair, portraying his agency and crushing Hermia’s hope for autonomy even further.

Read More

Women In A Midsummer Night's Dream

224 Words | 1 Pages

In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, readers are presented with female characters that refuse to accept the decisions made for them by men, rebelling against them. During Shakespeare’s time, women’s husbands were chosen for them. Hermia’s father chooses Demetrius as a suitor for her, even though she already loves Lysander, and even threatens to have her punished if she doesn’t comply. Hermia demonstrates her strength by refusing not only her father’s pleas, but also those made by Theseus, their ruler. All the men in the room are against Hermia in this scene, but she stands her ground regardless saying, “Insert quote about her father trying to understand her feelings” (1.1.).

Read More

Gender Roles In A Midsummer Night's Dream

687 Words | 3 Pages

William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream takes place in an ancient Athenian society where men tend to hold much higher places than women in society. In this comedy, women are still owned by their fathers, prizes of battle, and are not allowed to make decisions for themselves. With that, however, it is said by Helena in act two, scene one that women are meant to be pursued by men, rather than be the ones pursuing. The idea that women should be passive and men should be active in pursuing relationships is a cultural construct that has evolved over time, and while this was the case in the 16th century, they are no longer universally true today.

Read More

Male Dominance In A Midsummer Night's Dream

531 Words | 3 Pages

The male dominance is also existent in the fairy realm. Oberon is the equivalent to Theseus’ in the fairy world. Oberon and Titania, who are the King and Queen of the Fairies are the only married couple in the play. It is visible towards the readers that the relationship between them is quite unstable

Read More

Women In A Midsummer Night's Dream

518 Words | 3 Pages

“Women had very few rights; they often were not allowed to leave the house and, inside their houses, they were relegated to rooms in the back of the house near the slave quarters.” This small snippet explains how women were really only used for household chores during the Athenian time. In William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, women don’t have choices to make or rights to have in their own life. The women in this play are held back by the men in their life in different situations such as being unable to choose their own spouse, men are too controlling, and women are so cornered that they just need to escape the current situation to make it better.

Read More

Women In A Midsummer Night's Dream

768 Words | 4 Pages

In modern times, women are able to hold great influence over many people and show their proof of power as leaders. In the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, characters such as these do exist, but are overshadowed by even greater influence. In this play, Shakespeare portrays women as formidable strongholds against men with great power behind the scenes using characters such as Hermia, Hippolyta, and Titania. To begin with, Hermia is a character that holds power, but is often disregarded due to the high reputation of Egeus and Hermia’s position as his daughter. When Egeus was complaining to Theseus about Lysander and Hermia’s relationship, he says, “As she is mine, I may dispose of her” (1.1.42).

Read More

Gender Roles In A Midsummer Night's Dream

1898 Words | 8 Pages

At that time in history, the status quo and social norm was simple. Patriarchy was the predominant force as men were regarded as superior to women, both in society as well as the relationship scene. Shakespeare attempted to change this perception through his multiple works of literature. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare uses the theme of gender roles to express the idea that the status quo and social norm in the Elizabethan era can be challenged through courtship, father-daughter relationships, and wedlock. The play commences with the courtship of multiple individuals.

Read More

A Doll's House And Lysistrata Analysis

1550 Words | 7 Pages

The relationships between gender and power in A Doll’s House and Lysistrata ‘One is not born, but, rather becomes a woman’. Lysistrata and A Doll’s House both present the disadvantaged position of women in their respective societies. The two plays present the relationship between gender and power and follow two women who go to extremes to become liberated from the restraints of their oppressive and dominating patriarchal society. Therefore, it is clear that both Nora and Lysistrata demonstrate the potential for women 's power and resistance in situations of male dominance in a hegemonic patriarchy. In order to prove this, it is important to look at the relationship between man and power, woman and power and the ways in which Nora and Lysistrata embody this power in the two plays.

Read More

Women In A Midsummer Night's Dream

742 Words | 3 Pages

Midsummer Night’s dream is a great piece of work from the all-time famous writer William Shakespeare, many people have categorized this piece of work as romantic comedy. However, while this play is lovely and comic, it also has strong trace of darkness and cruelty, especially related to feminine characters. Even the happy ending with weddings was driven by attributed magic. Also, during the whole play it clearly depicts how male-female relationships can involve a great amount of cruelty, with the potential to spread discord throughout society.

Read More

Men And Women In A Midsummer Night's Dream

1205 Words | 5 Pages

The male roles in the family seem to be above females’ because they get to make decisions for girls. Men feel dominant to women, so the same behaviors as the women are acceptable for them. Along with these, the ladies are not expected to crave love and affection like the gentlemen do. The gender issue of men being dominant and women being submissive used in the drama, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, shows the differences in the roles, behaviors, and expectations appropriate for each gender and is an example of an outdated stereotype. Unlike the time frame of this literature, women in the present are valued equal to men.

Read More

Patriarchy In A Midsummer Night's Dream

986 Words | 4 Pages

In William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the female characters' desire to question the law of Athens and select their own husbands drives most of the conflict in the play. In a way, Hermia, Helena, and Titania are the protagonists of the play because each of their desires are being thwarted by the patriarchal structure of the society in which they live. The way the women try to overcome such hurdles does not sit well with the men. Accordingly, the men get on edge when their patriarchy is disrupted, so they make strict laws to try and keep the women under their control.

Read More

More about Gender Roles In A Midsummer Night's Dream Persuasive Essay

Related Topics

Open Document