Shakespeare's female characters are often sexualised and objectified.

Question

Answer

Pro: Young female characters who are yet to have sex are often portrayed as 'innocent' and 'pure', in sharp contrast to the portrayal of those who do have sex.

Answer

Con: Much of the romance in Shakespeare's plays is portrayed as more than just sexual, giving space for women's personalities to be understood.

Answer

Pro: Flirtatious women are often presented as inferior or unsophisticated, and are thus often used for comic relief.

Was Shakespeare a feminist? (independent research activity)

Shakespeare's female characters are often sexualised and objectified.

Pros

Cons

Young female characters who are yet to have sex are often portrayed as 'innocent' and 'pure', in sharp contrast to the portrayal of those who do have sex.

Flirtatious women are often presented as inferior or unsophisticated, and are thus often used for comic relief.

Much of the romance in Shakespeare's plays is portrayed as more than just sexual, giving space for women's personalities to be understood.

Selected claim, supporting its parent

Shakespeare's female characters are often sexualised and objectified.

Pro claim 1

Young female characters who are yet to have sex are often portrayed as 'innocent' and 'pure', in sharp contrast to the portrayal of those who do have sex.

Pro claim 2

Flirtatious women are often presented as inferior or unsophisticated, and are thus often used for comic relief.

Con claim 1, children below

Much of the romance in Shakespeare's plays is portrayed as more than just sexual, giving space for women's personalities to be understood.