For example, while men are customarily expected to be bellicose, women are expected to remain submissive and unassertive. However, Shakespeare demonstrates that this isn’t inevitably the case. In the forest when Helena and Hermia are fighting, Helena says, “Have you know modesty, no maiden shame,/ No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear/ Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?/ Fie, fie, you counterfeit, you puppet, you!” (III.ii. 300-304). They insult each other in a language women are not to utter in their society. It goes from derogatory remarks to aggression when Hermia says, “How low am I? I am not yet so low/ But that my nails can reach into thine eyes.” (III.ii.312-313). Hermia is not afraid to get her nails digging into Helena’s eyes. Their actions show them breaking the gender stereotypes in their society by being aggressive rather than remaining
For example, while men are customarily expected to be bellicose, women are expected to remain submissive and unassertive. However, Shakespeare demonstrates that this isn’t inevitably the case. In the forest when Helena and Hermia are fighting, Helena says, “Have you know modesty, no maiden shame,/ No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear/ Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?/ Fie, fie, you counterfeit, you puppet, you!” (III.ii. 300-304). They insult each other in a language women are not to utter in their society. It goes from derogatory remarks to aggression when Hermia says, “How low am I? I am not yet so low/ But that my nails can reach into thine eyes.” (III.ii.312-313). Hermia is not afraid to get her nails digging into Helena’s eyes. Their actions show them breaking the gender stereotypes in their society by being aggressive rather than remaining