How female characters are portrayed is often a result of whether or not they are married.

Question

Answer

Pro: Female characters in 'The Tempest', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Much Ado About Nothing' are passed on from the protection of their fathers to new husbands.

Answer

Pro: Some women in Shakespeare's plays are presented as 'unmarriable' and therefore problematic.

Answer

Con: Often, Shakespeare purposefully sets up such situations to show the absurdity of social norms surrounding marriage at the time.

Was Shakespeare a feminist? (guided research activity)

How female characters are portrayed is often a result of whether or not they are married.

Pros

Cons

Female characters in 'The Tempest', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Much Ado About Nothing' are passed on from the protection of their fathers to new husbands.

Some women in Shakespeare's plays are presented as 'unmarriable' and therefore problematic.

Often, Shakespeare purposefully sets up such situations to show the absurdity of social norms surrounding marriage at the time.

Selected claim, supporting its parent

How female characters are portrayed is often a result of whether or not they are married.

Pro claim 1

Female characters in 'The Tempest', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Much Ado About Nothing' are passed on from the protection of their fathers to new husbands.

Pro claim 2, children below

Some women in Shakespeare's plays are presented as 'unmarriable' and therefore problematic.

Con claim 1, children below

Often, Shakespeare purposefully sets up such situations to show the absurdity of social norms surrounding marriage at the time.