Societal perspectives, including stereotypes, are deeply enmeshed in cultural ideals, language, and behavior. Literature is a strong indicator of cultural perspectives; it often reveals the views held during the time period the work was written in. However, literature sometimes resists stereotypes in order to foster ideas that critique social views. For example, if an author creates a male character that demonstrates excessive emotion, they are resisting the stereotype that defines men by their stoicism. Writers in early English periods, such as Chaucer and Shakespeare, created female characters that resisted and reinvented the stereotype that all women are submissive and repressed. Nonetheless, these characters not only behave in a manner
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Miranda takes initiative and pledges her love to Ferdinand, “…I am your wife if you will marry me./ If not, I’ll die your maid. To be your fellow/ You may deny me, but I’ll be your servant/ Whether you will or no” (3.1.100-104). Miranda’s willingness to confess her love to Ferdinand illustrates her confidence in voicing her opinion. The ability to give up her powers and become submissive as a maid demonstrates not only her true love for Ferdinand but also her sense of self-control. Although Miranda would be surrendering to societal standards if she were Ferdinand’s maid, she suggests that she would be doing so by her choice, which is also symbolic of female empowerment. Thus, Miranda’s defiance toward 17th century stereotypes is disclosed in her relationship with …show more content…
This exemplifies the interconnectedness of gender; male dominance is cyclical in regard to the influences of female submissiveness. The cyclical nature of the sexes demonstrates how certain conditions affect behavior. Illustrated by Miranda’s defiance toward her father and her passionate vows to Ferdinand, Miranda’s resistance toward the compliant stereotype is influenced by certain literary conditions, such as her communication with her father and Ferdinand.
Another condition that develops Miranda’s character’s confrontation of the societal standard of passive women is the theme of male hierarchy that runs rampantly throughout The Tempest. From the first act in the first scene, the play raises the issue of hierarchy and who has the access to authority. On the ship to the island the men repetitively question who holds power,
ALONSO. Good boatswain, have care. Where’s the
Miranda takes initiative and pledges her love to Ferdinand, “…I am your wife if you will marry me./ If not, I’ll die your maid. To be your fellow/ You may deny me, but I’ll be your servant/ Whether you will or no” (3.1.100-104). Miranda’s willingness to confess her love to Ferdinand illustrates her confidence in voicing her opinion. The ability to give up her powers and become submissive as a maid demonstrates not only her true love for Ferdinand but also her sense of self-control. Although Miranda would be surrendering to societal standards if she were Ferdinand’s maid, she suggests that she would be doing so by her choice, which is also symbolic of female empowerment. Thus, Miranda’s defiance toward 17th century stereotypes is disclosed in her relationship with …show more content…
This exemplifies the interconnectedness of gender; male dominance is cyclical in regard to the influences of female submissiveness. The cyclical nature of the sexes demonstrates how certain conditions affect behavior. Illustrated by Miranda’s defiance toward her father and her passionate vows to Ferdinand, Miranda’s resistance toward the compliant stereotype is influenced by certain literary conditions, such as her communication with her father and Ferdinand.
Another condition that develops Miranda’s character’s confrontation of the societal standard of passive women is the theme of male hierarchy that runs rampantly throughout The Tempest. From the first act in the first scene, the play raises the issue of hierarchy and who has the access to authority. On the ship to the island the men repetitively question who holds power,
ALONSO. Good boatswain, have care. Where’s the