The Revenger’s Tragedy, by Thomas Middleton (1607), has many themes and ideas which, through thematic and structural value, effectively “hold a mirror up to nature”. Through the representation of women and the ideas of morality presented, The Revengers Tragedy presents a significant commentary on society. There are many layers to Middleton’s work, and the deeper one looks, the more complex and subversive ideas begin to develop, particularly based around the associated social context.
In The Revenger’s Tragedy, women are represented in a number of different ways, but they are all interlinked. Most of the readily observed depictions bear negative social and moral connotations, whereas if one looks deeper, they may find that there are potentially some sympathetic-feminist views represented in the text. Firstly, there are few women characters in the play, and most of them play very minor dramatic roles (as opposed to their larger thematic roles). This, on the surface may appear to say that they do not contribute to the storyline and thus are insignificant. Neither of these are true. The women do, in fact, drive the plot, and are the motive for almost every action. Vindice is largely driven by Gloriana’s death, the Duchess is behind many of the nobles’ endeavours, Castiza motivates Lussurioso and Hippolito to their various actions. Thus, the women hold some significant power. It is important to note that none of the women try to actively create conflict, but they may (intentionally or otherwise) inspire the male characters into doing so, placing more emphasis on the manner in which they are mistaken as unimportant.
Many or all the male characters in the play hold strong anti-feminist views. Women are largely seen by them as “ma...
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...ake effect. This (also rather interestingly) never happens, the only ‘justice’ done is when men take it into their own hands.
Hippolito says, when nothing is done about the rape and suicide of Antonio’s wife: “Curae leves loquuntur, majores stupent” (A1, S4, L23; also from Seneca’s ‘Hippolytus’ line 607) “Small cares speak out, greater ones are struck dumb,” indicating the fundamental disregard for honour in the society of the time, and the manner in which so many people overlook the true issues present
Through the great variety of themes, ideas and values presented in The Revenger’s Tragedy, particularly the representation of women, and the ideas of morality that are shown, an effective and insightful commentary on society is achieved and it could be said that indeed it does “hold a mirror up to nature”, specifically through the social context of the text.
While it is tempting to see the Shakespearean concept of rape entirely in such terms, such a view is not adequate to explain the complex interactions of dishonor, shame, and guilt found in The Rape of Lucrece. Carolyn Williams, by contrast, focuses on the tensions in early modern thought between a culture of "shame" and one of "guilt," two codes which differ not only in their account of the nature of the crime, but also in the consequences for the victim and the importance of her statements in determining her status. In the "shame culture," rape is "a crime against property," (like Harris’s definition) and "the victim’s refusal of consent…is irrelevant: her physical condition determines her status" (94). In the culture of "guilt," however, the woman is seen as a "responsible human agent." Therefore "her utterance is crucially important. Lack of consent defines the rape…Her ability to tell her story afterwards vindicates her honour" (95).
It is believed by many that it is human nature to deem themselves to be a tantamount to God. Such is the case when one decides to take revenge against those who wrong him. Though vengeance seems like the perfect way to achieve justice, a sense of equity, in actuality it is merely an unsatisfactory hypocritical action. This is the definitive realization of the protagonist, Edmond Dantès in Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo”. The protagonist comes to understand that after a lifetime of searching for justice, he really only yearns justice from himself. Akin to many of Alexandre Dumas’ other masterpieces, “The Count of Monte Cristo” is a dramatic tale of mystery and intrigue that paints a dazzling, dueling, exuberant vision of the Napoleonic era in France. In this thrilling adventure, Edmond Dantès is toiling with the endeavor of attaining ultimate revenge, after being punished by his enemies and thrown into a secret dungeon in the Chateau d’If. He reluctantly learns that his long intolerable years in captivity, miraculous escape and carefully wrought revenge are all merely vital parts in his journey of awakening to the notion that there is no such thing as happiness or unhappiness, there is merely the comparison between the two. Ultimately, the irony that Dumas is presenting through this novel suggests that the inability to attain happiness through the hypocrisy that is revenge is because one is really avenging their own self. This becomes evident through his dramatic transformations from a naïve, young sailor, to a cold, cynical mastermind of vengeance, and finally to a remorseful, humble man who is simply content.
The title page offers an immediate insight into the patriarchal constraints placed on women in early modern England. Although The Tragedy of Mariam is the first known English play to be authored by a woman, the fact that Cary is unable to give her full name is indicative of the limitations on women writers of the period. This semi-anonymous authorship...
Susan Glaspell uses literary elements that show the readers the feminist theme in the play. The use of characters in this play really shows the feminist theme the most. Men in this play clearly demonstrates how men wer...
...ve been suffering mental abuse by their husband. This play presents the voice of feminism and tries to illustrate that the power of women is slightly different, but can be strong enough to influence the male dominated society. Although all women are being oppressed in the patriarchal society at that time, Glaspell uses this play as a feminist glory in a witty way to win over men. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters solve the crime by reflecting on Minnie Wright’s unhappy marriage that leads her to murdering. Using the relationship between female and male characters throughout the play, Glaspell speaks up to emphasize how the patriarchal society underestimated women’s rights and restricted women’s desires.
Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine comment in the Introduction to Shakespeare: Othello that sexism is a big factor in the play:
A series of events catalyzed by powerful women and ending with a tragic loss for the male leads of The Visit and Antigone reveals a reason for the mistreatment of women in western society. Dürrenmatt and Sophocles show that the oppression of women stems from man's fear of losing control. By identifying this fear, the authors underscore the importance of treating women as equals, as the decision of the male leads to blame the women rather than to accept responsibility for their actions is what causes their downfall.
The Revenger’s Tragedy, assumedly written by the playwright Cyril Tourneur, is a rich and compelling theatric play which functions as a social commentary for the Jacobean period when it was written. Themes such as the immorality and fickleness of women, and the subversion of personal justice over public justice serve as a multifaceted reflection of society’s values during that iniquitous era. These key ideas help secure this tragedy as a classic which has lasted throughout the ages, due to its constant relevance and engaging thematic values.
Within The Revenger’s Tragedy, thematic concepts such as women and justice serve to represent the social and literary context of the play, but to also offer society a reflection of itself. The role of women in the play reflects society’s place for them, while justice is used to offer the corrupt society a representation of itself, and show that the Natural Order will be righted.
The downward spiral of the character Vindice, shows a large scope of emotion, starting with a quite normal grieving process for his partner, to seeking his revenge on the Duke, this revenge soon spiralling out of his control when he decides to get revenge on the whole of the royal family because the Dukes son raped Lord Antonio’s wife. Therefore the use of symbolism and imagery works well and the play follows an effective structure in which the tragedy becomes the tragedy of Vindice alone.
The play, A Raisin in the Sun, has a very strong view of feminism in the 1960’s. The way that the females are portrayed and talked to in this play is not only an example of how the relationship between a man and a woman in society is unequal, but reflects a particular patriarchal ideology. Throughout this play, as the characters strive to achieve their dreams, the relationships that we see can be seen as feminist and as sexual stereotypes.
in this play, women are used as a symbol of male power, or lack of it.
This fact plays a crucial role in the mood of the play. If the reader understands history, they also understand that women did not really amount to any importance, they were perceived more as property.
Men have so much control in this society and Shakespeare has a little bit of a change in the women in his play.
Role of Women in Othello Throughout history the role of women has been heavily debated. Women have had to struggle for the rights they have today,even if some of us may still question if women really do have the same rights as a man. Whether it was getting the right to vote or even being able to join the work force, women have earned their place in society today. There are many avenues that you could take to see and understand the role of women throughout history.