How Does Shakespeare Present Relationship Between Men and Women and How Might a Modern Day Audience Respond?
How does Shakespeare present relationship between Men and Women and how might a modern day audience respond?
During the time of Shakespeare women lived in a male dominated society. Women In this period had virtually no legal power and lost all right to own all personal property when they married. Men were expected to be the heads of the households. Once a boy turned eight he no longer was required to obey his mother. The ideal woman was believed to be a virgin and a faithful wife. Female honour and social respectability were tied so closely to sexuality that death was often presented as preferable to the loss of female chastity. The relationships between Men and Women In this play do reflect the status between them at the time. Hermione would seem to fit in the idyllic woman’s criteria, and also seem to be an exception to the sexist views of the Jacobean time. Although Leontes hysterical paranoia would mean that he believes otherwise. Hermione begins with good standing in court, she is highly respected by Polixenes and this is shown by how he refers to her, “fair queen/my most sacred lady”. She is able to talk to men and not been seen as a second class citizen or a suboralinate as most women were during the Jacobean period. The loyalty her people have for her is genuine not just a duty because she is the Queen. Also as well as her people Hermione is highly revered by King Leontes as he has trusted in her by giving her the duty to try and make Polixenes stay a little longer. However Leontes dramatic change of attitude towards her is shocking to any audience. His intense jealously and derogatory language leads a modern audience to believe he is acting completely irrational and disrespectful to his innocent wife. From calling her “my dearest” to questioning if Mamillius is really his son “Art thou my boy?” Leontes also seems to change his attitudes towards women completely “Women say so, that will say anything” An audience of the time would have see this as
During the time of Shakespeare women lived in a male dominated society. Women In this period had virtually no legal power and lost all right to own all personal property when they married. Men were expected to be the heads of the households. Once a boy turned eight he no longer was required to obey his mother. The ideal woman was believed to be a virgin and a faithful wife. Female honour and social respectability were tied so closely to sexuality that death was often presented as preferable to the loss of female chastity. The relationships between Men and Women In this play do reflect the status between them at the time. Hermione would seem to fit in the idyllic woman’s criteria, and also seem to be an exception to the sexist views of the Jacobean time. Although Leontes hysterical paranoia would mean that he believes otherwise. Hermione begins with good standing in court, she is highly respected by Polixenes and this is shown by how he refers to her, “fair queen/my most sacred lady”. She is able to talk to men and not been seen as a second class citizen or a suboralinate as most women were during the Jacobean period. The loyalty her people have for her is genuine not just a duty because she is the Queen. Also as well as her people Hermione is highly revered by King Leontes as he has trusted in her by giving her the duty to try and make Polixenes stay a little longer. However Leontes dramatic change of attitude towards her is shocking to any audience. His intense jealously and derogatory language leads a modern audience to believe he is acting completely irrational and disrespectful to his innocent wife. From calling her “my dearest” to questioning if Mamillius is really his son “Art thou my boy?” Leontes also seems to change his attitudes towards women completely “Women say so, that will say anything” An audience of the time would have see this as