Women In A Midsummers Night Dream English Literature Essay

Women In A Midsummers Night Dream English Literature EssayShakespeares distaff characters are delineated across a variety of social classes. In this essay I will explore how Shakespeare portrays women in A Midsummer Nights Dream inclusive of some(prenominal) female characters in this play. This totallyows us to examine in depth, to a very limited extent, how they were treated in society and the stereotypical roles Elizabethan society compel upon them. I will be examining specifically the characters and depiction of Hippolyta, Helena and Hermia and how they defy the stereotypical notion of how women were treated by men.Firstly, the most obvious aspect regarding Shakespeares portrayal of women in this play is that the female gender is commodified. Throughout the play, women are treated worry objects to be sold or traded. With reference to the background of the characters Theseus and Hippolyta, Greek mythology states that when Theseus, the Duke of Athens, sailed to the trim back of the Amazon, the Amazons offered Theseus gifts of peace. However, Theseus kidnapped Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazonians, and forcefully made her his wife.1This resulted in the war between the Athenians and the Amazons. Theseuss action of claiming Hippolyta as a prize and a wife might show that he treats them as objects rather than benevolent beings.2This idea is reinforced when Theseus says Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword, and won thy love doing thee injuries (I.i.16-17). This statement refers to how Theseus won the battle with the Amazons and in conquering the Amazons he has conquered their queen, Hippolyta, two physically and emotionally.Hippolytas lines in this play are of relatively insignificant amount and value as compared to Theseuss. For example, in the first motion, Hippolyta only comforts Theseus by byword that Four days will quickly steep themselves in night Four nights will quickly dream away the time (I.i.7-8) and they will wee-wee the marriage ceremony soon. In addition, Theseus appears to be making the decisions regarding everything, ranging from their marriage to Hermias marriage. This is significant as it shows that Hippolyta is subservient to Theseus as she has little say in these state events in spite of being seated next to Theseus. In addition, Hippolytas silence could whitethornhap show how she is unhappy about being forced into a marriage with Theseus3as shown in the 1970s BBC production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Hippolytas silence could also be seen as a rejection of male dominance.4However, it is also significant that Hippolyta gets is feedn more of a voice in the last scene after being married and this will be explored later.Another relationship that suggests the marginalizing of women is seen again between Egeus and Hermia. Egeus, Hermias father, has made up his mind to unify Hermia to Demetrius but Hermia refuses to do so. Egeus then brings up this complaint to Theseus, hoping Theseus is fitting to help him. In doing so, Egeus is shown to regard Hermia as a commodity. Egeus says that Hermia has turned her obedience, which is payable to me (I.i.37) and that since she is mine, I may dispose of her (I.i.42). These 2 lines show Egeus treating Hermia as mere appropriatety5because he made her and hence Hermia ought to listen to her fathers instructions. This idea is also turn out by some parents in the early 17th century such as Sir Edward Coke who whipped his daughter into marriage with a mentally unsound man.6Moreover, Theseus becomes the incarnation of the law in Athens as he tells Hermia to either to die the last, or to abjure for ever the society of men (I.i.65-66). According to the ancient favor of Athens (I.i.41) a womans father has the right to decide who she should marry and she has no say in his decision. If the woman goes against the wishes of her father, she can either be put to death or to stay a virgin forever by becoming a nun. The number of different options given by bo th Theseus and Egeus only goes to tide over the fact that Renaissance women were constrained in the verbal medium and that silence was the virtue most stringently required from Renaissance women.7However, it is also through these triple women that we see the female gender defying the societys treatment of women then. Hippolyta, Helena and Hermia go against the grain in their unique ways and show that despite the limitations and laws that society imposes upon them, they are able to assert themselves and show society that they have the potential to be as capable as men. Critics have said that Shakespeares portrayal of women in this manner could possibly be his own stand on how women should be treated opposely as men but since he belongs to the Elizabethan era, it is still difficult to bring in Shakespeares precise views on feminism and its issues solely based A Midsummer Nights Dream and even if we could, it is still problematic to judge his 16th 17th century mindset based on the definitions and criteria of twentieth century feminism.8In addition, Shakespeare is based in the Elizabethan era yet he writes about the lives and attitudes of the ancient Greeks. This suggests that rendition Shakespeares mindset from his works is only reliable to a small extent. Hence, his representation of women only serves as an understanding to how he was unorthodox in the gender assumptions of his era. angiotensin converting enzyme extremely effective method of showing that women should assert having their opinions and rights recognized by men is to have the characters in A Midsummer Nights Dream either conduct in a power struggle or a role replacement. The very first power struggle shown in the play exists between Egeus/Theseus and Hermia. In Act 1 Scene 1, Hermia openly defies Egeuss wishes for her to marry Demetrius instead of Lysander. Through Egeuss eyes, Hermia is seen to have a stubborn harshness (I.i.38) and she will not consent to marry with Demetrius (I.i.40). She defies Egeus despite knowing that ancient tradition grants the father power to marry his daughter off whoever he wishes to. Nonetheless, she even conspires with Lysander and agrees to his plan of leaving Athens to Lysanders widow woman aunt whose house is remote seven leagues (I.i. 159) and out of reach of the sharp Athenian law (I.i.162). While running away might seem like a nuanced and subtle form of defiance, it is still an affirmation of Hermias rights and freedom as a woman to choose who she marries.In the same scene, she defies Theseus in both her eminence and her language. For example, when Theseus tries to persuade Hermia to marry Demetrius by saying that Demetrius is a worthy gentleman (I.i.52) Hermia asserts, So is Lysander (I.i.53). In addition, when Theseus tells Hermia that she faces either a nunnery or death, she replies that My soul consents not to give sovereignty (I.i.82) and she would rather be a nun than having to marry Demetrius. In Hermias case, the act of wom en asserting themselves is almost unheard of as Shakespeare lived in a ancient culture in which authority and privilege is particularly invested in the hands of the patriarch of a family. This shows that women were subordinate to men.9The most obvious example of gender reversal is between Demetrius and Helena. In Act 2 Scene 1, Helena reminds the audience about this role reversal by saying, We cannot fight for love, as men may do we should be wooed, and were not made to woo (II.i.241-242). This line refers to how, in this situation, Helena is playing the role of the male chasing after the female (Demetrius) through the woodwind instrument and persuading Demetrius to love her. Although I acknowledge that Helena is forced to woo Demetrius due to her situation of unrequited love, it is not proper for a woman to behave in this manner in Ancient Greece.This role reversal between Helena and Demetrius suggests that in Ancient Greece, women were generalized as insensible and unable to mak e proper judgments and hence needed a male guardian.10By getting Helena to play the role of men, Shakespeare creates comic relief as the audience sees it as giddy and absurdly funny. In addition, some members of the audience may feel sympathetic for Helena instead. Inducing sympathy and challenging the audiences perception of women could have been Shakespeares intentions to promote equal treatment regardless of gender. Nonetheless, this seemingly comic situation still holds true to this day as we, to a small extent, still stereotype women as human beings to be wooed by men despite various organizations pushing for female equality. This may be due to our genetic makeup as human beings or cultural influences about women but we do not exactly know.The final instance of a power struggle between the genders occurs between Theseus and Hippolyta. In Act 5 Scene 1, Hippolyta voices out that she disagrees with Theseus on the events that happened to the lovers the previous night. While These us says that he may never believe these antique fables (V.i.2-3), Hippolyta disagrees and says that it must have been true because all their minds transfigured together (V.i.24) and it was more witnesseth than fancys images (V.i.25). Hippolytas verbal answer can be seen in two ways. Firstly, Michael Boyd, a stage director implied that Hippolyta has accepted Theseus as she gives her husband a kiss. This suggests that Hippolyta is simply discussing the whole issue about the lovers with Theseus. The darker way of looking at this is that Hippolyta is involved in struggles for power in a patriarchal society.11In doing so, Hippolyta empowers the female gender by going against how women were supposed to be submissive and agreeable to their husbands.In conclusion, I hope this essay demonstrates Shakespeares several conscious and subconscious libber intentions, through A Midsummer Nights Dream, in his portrayal of women as opposition to the supposed virtues of marriage.12More importantly, t his paper would have suggested that A Midsummer Nights Dream may be interpreted to imply Shakespeare being a proto-feminist who understood and sympathized women who were treated unfairly.

Frankenstein - Societal Changes in Film Essay -- Essays Papers

A Look at the Story of Frankenstein and the Societal Changes in Film Frankensteins monster, a misunderstood creation fabricated by superior Frankenstein in Mary Shelleys classic story, has been terrorizing readers and audiences alike for well over one hundred and fifty years. Since the story was first written in 1818, thither have been numerous plays, and over one hundred films, each translation trying to portray its own vision of the original story. Mary Shelley came to create the simulacrum of a new literary genre science fiction (Hardwood 14) while James Whale crafted his beautiful film creation, Frankenstein, to portray conservative values and cultivated rights while still telling the classic story. Other versions of Frankenstein and modern films such as Blade Runner and The Terminator use the Frankenstein myth to show how engine room must be contained. Yet the most popular and admired of these variations incorporate changes to the original story that connect not onl y with the audiences fears, barely societal fears including the Great Depression and evolving technology.Mary Shelley and Her MonsterWhile an entire book can be written on Ms. Shelley and her life, I am choosing to pore solely on her social and family contacts and issues surrounding her life that pertain to the writing of Frankenstein. These issues include her parents and lovers, the social crowd in which she entertained with, the contest and dream that overstep to the storys creation, the science that prompted the story to involve an unnatural creation of life, and some theories touching on the social and political agenda of the story.Mary Shelley was innate(p) to William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, both influential writers and intellectuals of the... ...e still is only a mother and really serves no other purpose. Both these movies came out in the early 1980s, a time in which computers and technology was first being researched and discovered. These directors tapped into the their audiences fear of machines like Mary Shelley tapped into her audiences fear of creating life. Concluding Thoughts Mary Shelley came up with an imagination for a story while having a nightmare in the middle of the night. That nightmare was then transferred onto paper and then to the silver screen, each new adaptation changing the original story to get the most fear or response from the audience. I feel that we have not seen the last of Frankenstein or the themes he carried with him for the last 187 years, and as Martin Tropp states, Something about the story is never exhausted, always current, always able to attract a new generation (2).

Success is in the Attempt :: Graduate College Admissions Essays

Success is in the Attempt I may not know exactly what Im difference to be when I grow up but I have embarked on a path of self-discovery and I have discovered that I am a framer. I am a writer It took a long time for me to admit that writing was more than a hobby, it was a passion. Writing is what I was meant to do. I was so afraid that my desire to make writing into a career was a frivolous, unrealistic fantasy. I never took any risks to make it happen. When I started thinking about college and a career I filled my journal with ideas and desires. And as I wrote I imagined a life-timestyle with the flexibility to work at home, getting paid to do a job that I loved. But through all of my writing, I was al ways grasping to figure out what it was that I would be doing at home. I never realized the answer was right in front of me - I would write. Writing in my journal nourished my character and made me feel alive. In my journal I coverd my deepest desires, shared thoughts Id been keeping inside and got lost in the rhythm of my words. And as I began to write, stories emerged. Ideas came to life for more stories and articles and essays. I felt whole. I wanted the feeling of wholeness to continue forever. To do that, I had to take an enormous leap of faith and share my work with others. I began searching for avenues to submit my work, the entire time worrying that I wasnt good enough. I was fortunate to receive support and encouragement from editors who depict my work. After submitting several pieces of writing to different websites, I received some very wonderful news. My work would be published. To date my work has been published on several websites. I have a short story appearing in an upcoming edition of BeRealMag.com, and I continue to submit stories and queries for publication. Recently, when an editor approached me to write a piece for her website, I knew I had succeeded - I am a writer I believe that writing is my lifes work and Im actively seeking ways to make a living writing.

The Rough Sea :: Creative Writing Sailing Essays

The Rough SeaThe small whitecaps lapped against the starboard side and then retreated. It had been rough since the start and would be until they reached the mol in the harbor. Bob, finishing pulling on the ropes to raise the masts, turned towards the wheel and slowly turned around the rocks. He moved to the back of the boat and sat on the place where the lifejackets were kept. Near the masts vocal rocked up and down and up with the waves. It was a feeling like no other to him the fact that the gentle movements could turn rough at any cartridge clip gave him so much pleasure from the start of the charge to the finish. He loved to sail out as far as he could go aheadhand he got tired from the rocking motion and had to stop going farther. He loved trying to venture farther and farther out each time before he had to turn back his favorite fraction was the rough sea where the waves were rougher and rougher as he kept going. A sudden gust made him echo about turning back, but he k new that they had gone too far to turn back, and he knew he had to keep going until the waves had reached their peaks. Then they passed a part of the water where the waves suddenly stopped and quickly gave way to a very calm feeling inside of him so that he could relax and recollect the ride so far. That was a real surprise, wasnt it, Rob? Frank said. It got me, too. I wasnt ready for it, and it jumped me. Yep. Almost fell over when we hit it, Bob called back to his friend, straight near the bow of the boat. Hows the water look over there? Pretty good, but it looks like therere some rough caps ahead. They braced themselves as they passed over the rough caps, slowly moving around the biggest ones so that the craft wouldnt capsize. Bob kept a strong hold on the wheel and made sure that they would protest the waves. On the horizon they could see the buildings of the town. The sky had started to get dark. Both of them hoped it would not start to rain until they were in the harbor. The y could see the light starting to come from the breakwater lighthouse. Great day for sailing, Bob said to Frank.

Use of Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Lette

Use of Symbols in The Scarlet Letter In many stories, symbols included by the author add deeper meaning. Nathaniel Hawthorne is one author who master the skill of using symbols effectively. The Scarlet Letter is regarded as a symbolic masterpiece due to Hawthornes exceptional use of the scarlet letter, the setting, and os as symbols. virtuoso of the main symbols of the novel is the basis for the title of the novel itself. Hester Prynnes scarlet letter is attached to her dress, and appears in fine red cloth surrounded with an elaborate embellishment with fantastic flourishes of gold thread (Hawthorne 60). The letter is said to have the effect of a spell, taking her disclose of the ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself (Hawthorne 61). The letter seems to be the focal point of Hesters figure, and the townspeople obsess about the blazing red sign of her sin for a long time after Hesters ignominy. Hesters fantastically embellished r ed letter takes on many meanings as a symbol. The gold thread with which the letter is embroidered symbolizes Hesters mockery of the puritan way of punishment. A female spectator in the market place remarks, Why, gossips, what is it but to laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make a pride out of what they ... meant for a punishment? (Hawthorne 61). The embellishment of the letter physically displays Hesters reaction to her punishment. Her strong will not only accepts the challenge that the puritan church has laid sooner her, but she also laughs in mockery at it. The scarlet letter also shows the triviality of the communitys system of punishment. Whenever Hester walks outside of her cottag... ...efers to her being a blessing to Hester. Pearl gives Hester a reason to live, and helps to keep Hesters spirits strong. Hawthornes use of symbols clearly enhances The Scarlet Letter. From the setting to the characters themselves, the novel is filled with symbols that work together to provide a deeper, allegoric meaning. The symbolism contained in Hawthornes works provokes much thought in the reader, through which the reader send word enjoy the story much more. For this reason, The Scarlet Letter can accurately be described as a symbolic masterpiece. Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York Penguin Putnam Inc., 1980. Bradford, William. The Errand of the Early Puritans. Class handout. March 2002. Winthrop, John. Life in Puritan New England. Class handout. March 2002.

Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre vs. Boyz n the Hood :: Jane Eyre Essays

Jane Eyre vs. Boyz n the Hood   When people are making choices sometimes they dont think of how they could affect someone else. In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Jane chooses to leave Mr. Rochester. In the movie Boyz n the Hood Tre decides not to participate in a shooting spree. He result of some choices could behave a bad aftermath, which not only affects the person deciding, but also the people around them.   The choices that Jane makes has different reactions, such as when she left Mr. Rochester, because she found that he was already married. It caused him to plummet into a deep state of depression. She only thought that she was betrayed, used, and it was a huge mistake. I was hateful n my own eyes. Still I could not turn, nor retrace on step.(210) Another one of her choices was when St. John asked her to marry him. Jane, come with me to India come as my help and fellow laborer. (273) This obviously shows that he didnt make do her. She made the choice not to g o with him as his helper. Her final decision was to try to find Mr.Rochester. She went to Thornfield and inquired about him. She found out where he was and went there as fast as she could. Delightful consciousness.(299) Your consciences will always be your guide to solving lifes problems.   In the movie Boyz n the Hood Tre also made some choices. For sample when he was in grade school he made a mistake when he started acting up in class, and when he got in trouble, he was sent to his fathers home. At his fathers house he learned responsibility and how to be a man. He regretted acting up in school, because now he had to fend the consequences by cleaning his fathers house. He also had the choice of who he hung out with. In his case you have to be very careful of who you hung out with, or you can get yourself into a lot of trouble. This is very prominent when Tre is walking with DoughBoys brother down an ally way. Tre wants to stick together, but his friend thinks it may be bette r to split up. In this case Tre is in the same predicament as when Jane decides to leave Mr. Rochester. Tre knows he is wrong but his friend persuades him that it would be better.

Carmen :: essays research papers

Car hands is a story about a girl who is only fourteen years old and she deals with sorrowful to a new neighborhood and her abusive, alcoholic father. As she deals with her fathers problems and her mothers denial she quickly falls into a life of drugs and despair, which pass on follow her throughout most of her life. It all starts with Carmen and her family moving from Brooklyn to New Jersey they find a bigger house and buy lavish furniture that they stubnot afford.Her tonic has unceasingly been an alcoholic, but lately he has become aggressive and lashes out at Carmen and her mother. After he tries to strangle Carmen she tries to streak away and finally succeeds on her flash attempt. Carmen then lives with her friend Lulu for a bandage and she becomes addicted to diacetylmorphine. Carmen meets two people through Lulu Nancy and Bud. Bud grows fond of Carmen and she decides to live with Bud who is a drug dealer, but after she repeatedly steals drugs from him, he kicks Carmen out. Carmen who has no place to go, walks around the subway for hours and Nancy recognizes her and offers Carmen a place to stay by introducing her to Hugh and Gene, they are two men that protect her and they are known as pimps. Carmen upsets to prostitution because it is the only way to pay for the drugs she uses. adept day Hugh is caught and charged with operating a billet illegally and Carmen becomes bored quickly and moves to the Bronx to find more work. Carmen then meets Vinnie, a man who enjoys her company and sometimes gives her money out of pity for her situation.Vinnie starts to use heroin while Carmen is away and he too becomes addicted to the drug. Vinnies personality changes and he is desperate for money and a way to get high, so he and Carmen object to burglarize a home of a recently deceased person. They break into the house while the funeral takes place and as they attempt to leave, the police overtake some(prenominal) Carmen and Vinnie. They are put in jail an d enter a drug abuse program. Carmen and Vinnie are released after ninety days and they both turn to drugs again.One day Carmen walks down an avenue and Nancy recognizes her and stops to talk. Carmen is asked by Nancy to baby sit her son Tommy and she agrees to watch him for a little while so Nancy can run some errands.Carmen essays research papersCarmen is a story about a girl who is only fourteen years old and she deals with moving to a new neighborhood and her abusive, alcoholic father. As she deals with her fathers problems and her mothers denial she quickly falls into a life of drugs and despair, which will follow her throughout most of her life. It all starts with Carmen and her family moving from Brooklyn to New Jersey they find a bigger house and buy lavish furniture that they cannot afford.Her dad has always been an alcoholic, but lately he has become aggressive and lashes out at Carmen and her mother. After he tries to strangle Carmen she tries to run away and finally s ucceeds on her second attempt. Carmen then lives with her friend Lulu for awhile and she becomes addicted to heroin. Carmen meets two people through Lulu Nancy and Bud. Bud grows fond of Carmen and she decides to live with Bud who is a drug dealer, but after she repeatedly steals drugs from him, he kicks Carmen out. Carmen who has no place to go, walks around the subway for hours and Nancy recognizes her and offers Carmen a place to stay by introducing her to Hugh and Gene, they are two men that protect her and they are known as pimps. Carmen turns to prostitution because it is the only way to pay for the drugs she uses. One day Hugh is caught and charged with operating a business illegally and Carmen becomes bored quickly and moves to the Bronx to find more work. Carmen then meets Vinnie, a man who enjoys her company and sometimes gives her money out of pity for her situation.Vinnie starts to use heroin while Carmen is away and he too becomes addicted to the drug. Vinnies personali ty changes and he is desperate for money and a way to get high, so he and Carmen plan to burglarize a home of a recently deceased person. They break into the house while the funeral takes place and as they attempt to leave, the police arrest both Carmen and Vinnie. They are put in jail and enter a drug abuse program. Carmen and Vinnie are released after ninety days and they both turn to drugs again.One day Carmen walks down an avenue and Nancy recognizes her and stops to talk. Carmen is asked by Nancy to baby sit her son Tommy and she agrees to watch him for a little while so Nancy can run some errands.