Rather than criticising the social norm, Shakespeare often glamorises marriage and presents it as a source of meaning and unity for the women in his plays.

Question

Answer

Pro: Female characters, like Adriana (II, ii) in 'A Comedy of Errors', often passionately praise the virtues of marriage, even if their husbands have mistreated them.

Answer

Con: Speeches by men valorising marriage are often contrasted by these characters' broader misogynistic behaviour, implying that Shakespeare sees their views on married love as insincere.

Answer

Con: Even where female characters wish to marry, they are still able to act independently and they often surprise male characters with their wit. This shows they are not beholden to their roles as wives.

Was Shakespeare a feminist? (independent research activity)

Rather than criticising the social norm, Shakespeare often glamorises marriage and presents it as a source of meaning and unity for the women in his plays.

Pros

Cons

Female characters, like Adriana (II, ii) in 'A Comedy of Errors', often passionately praise the virtues of marriage, even if their husbands have mistreated them.

Speeches by men valorising marriage are often contrasted by these characters' broader misogynistic behaviour, implying that Shakespeare sees their views on married love as insincere.

Even where female characters wish to marry, they are still able to act independently and they often surprise male characters with their wit. This shows they are not beholden to their roles as wives.

Selected claim, opposing its parent

Rather than criticising the social norm, Shakespeare often glamorises marriage and presents it as a source of meaning and unity for the women in his plays.

Pro claim 1

Female characters, like Adriana (II, ii) in 'A Comedy of Errors', often passionately praise the virtues of marriage, even if their husbands have mistreated them.

Con claim 1

Speeches by men valorising marriage are often contrasted by these characters' broader misogynistic behaviour, implying that Shakespeare sees their views on married love as insincere.

Con claim 2

Even where female characters wish to marry, they are still able to act independently and they often surprise male characters with their wit. This shows they are not beholden to their roles as wives.