Shakespeare's plays feature powerful and heroic female protagonists.

Question

Answer

Pro: Shakespeare's Cleopatra joins Antony in war, while she has clear influence over—and even intimidates—many of the other male characters.

Answer

Con: In using their power, several female characters (for example, Lady Macbeth) are presented as manipulative and immoral.

Answer

Pro: Several of Shakespeare's female characters are presented as more emotionally intelligent and measured than their brash and vengeful male counterparts.

Was Shakespeare a feminist? (independent research activity)

Shakespeare's plays feature powerful and heroic female protagonists.

Pros

Cons

Shakespeare's Cleopatra joins Antony in war, while she has clear influence over—and even intimidates—many of the other male characters.

Several of Shakespeare's female characters are presented as more emotionally intelligent and measured than their brash and vengeful male counterparts.

In using their power, several female characters (for example, Lady Macbeth) are presented as manipulative and immoral.

Selected claim, supporting its parent

Shakespeare's plays feature powerful and heroic female protagonists.

Pro claim 1

Shakespeare's Cleopatra joins Antony in war, while she has clear influence over—and even intimidates—many of the other male characters.

Pro claim 2

Several of Shakespeare's female characters are presented as more emotionally intelligent and measured than their brash and vengeful male counterparts.

Con claim 1

In using their power, several female characters (for example, Lady Macbeth) are presented as manipulative and immoral.