The Role of Women in Shakespeares Tragedies Essay -- Tragedy Plays Sh

The Role of Women in Shakespeargons TragediesIn Shakespeares tragedies and his plays in general, we can come across several types of female characters. Their influence with former(a) characters and their purpose or role, often underestimated like women themselves, will be this essays main subject. Women in Shakespearean plays have always had important roles, sometimes even the leading role. Whether they create the main conflicts and base of the plays, or bring up interesting moral and cultural questions, they have always been put in challenging situations. Some women are stronger than others, and their effect on the play is different for each one. They often even surpass the male heroes. Its almost unbelieveable, if we tackle into consideration the status of women, of course with its discrimination and cruel conditions, in Shakespeares days - sixteenth century Elizabethan England. But there could have been many reasons, why he gave his characters such qualities. It could have be en the Queen Elizabeth I. on the throne, or a certain influence of his marriage with older muliebrity. Some modern critics claim, he was a feminist, or on the contrary it is historically incorrect, because we shouldnt for welcome that he wrote maily for a male entertainment. Particulary in his comedies we frequently see a woman take on the strongest character, while often in his tragedies he has a male play the isolated tragic hero. Its highly necessary to cut the context to fully understand it. The women couldnt do much of anything but cook and clean for their husbands. They were also spoken to and commanded like they were common dogs. Also the women did not get to choose who they married. They were supposed to act like dolls. Their loyalty belonged first to their fathers and then to their husbands. This patriarchal structure has forced them to render repressed and helpless, not moreover in the eyes of men and beau monde. Overall women were treated horrible compared to todays time. Theres evident inspiration and writers reaction. Nevertheless, in the midst of this male-dominant society Shakespeare portrays women with strengths at least equal to those of men. Shakespeares views on women clearly define his plays and how, by using the women as some of the most powerful and stage dominating characters, and he shows a remarkable gift for breaking down the barriers that held women captiv... ...ve. Lady Macbeths behavior certainly shows that women can be as ambitious and cruel as men. Whether because of the constraints of her society or because she is not fearless enough to kill, Lady Macbeth relies on deception and manipulation rather than violence to achieve her ends. Beyond doubt, three witches, as ghostlike characters in Macbeth, embody an unreasoning, instinctive evil. They represent Macbeths evil ambitions and aspirations.It is evident the womens role in Shakespeares tragedy is unlike his comedy. In comedies the women are empowered, that means they are mostly strong, independent, and capable, despite the male-dominant society of Elizabethan England. But in fact, women who were gifted and imaginative were not given the chance to develop their skills to become better in their craft. are often depicted as meek, obedient, and vapid creatures who stand behind their husbands. Their biggest role is usually one as wife or sister, hardly ever straying to be different. And that reflects exactly on Shakespearean tragic female characters, along with all difficulties, struggle and despair.Unfortunately, some of these characters survived not only in drama...