The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka

When Shakespeare wrote Othello, women had few rights and little power in society. They had virtually no say in arranging their own marriages, and were expected to marry a suitor chosen by their father. Desdemona, however, despite proposals from various suitors and public discouragement, continues her pursuit of Othello, and marries him. Although she is "…bound [to her father] for life and education…" , she affirms her belief that she belongs with Othello, and has such great love for him, so much that "a heave interim shall support his absence" . Soon after their elopement, envious Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him.

After spending some time with the trio, Jane feels herself becoming comfortable. Eventually, St. John Rivers urges Jane to marry him and to accompany him on a mission trip as his wife. Although Jane finds herself tempted, she does not allow herself to accept because she wants to be her own person, and she knows that she could never love him in a romantic way. This is just another example of how much Jane grew up over the course of her

The marriage between Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins shows that marriage for love is not always possible. While speaking to Elizabeth about Jane happiness with Mr. Bingley Charlotte says " Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance ...and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person whom you are to pass your life " (ch.6 pg. 32-33) Charlotte is saying if you have to marry to be comfortable then it is better to leap before you look It’s a complicated situation because you are getting married to a person whom you don't even know. However some women have little choice. As much as the characters would like to be married for love some have no other choice.

Even after they profess their love to each other, Beatrice and Benedick remain in competition to protect their egos. At the wedding, they claim not to love each other until Hero and Claudio expose the love letters they had written but never sent. They then give in and decide to be married, yet they are not rid of the prideful patterns that may later threaten their relationship. If they are still unable to healthily express their love for each other, is that love strong enough to endure the hardships of a lifetime together? Another effect of her emotional suppression is the outburst Beatrice has in Act 4.

After this statement is made Janie feels like she most escape from this marriage or suffer from being treated like the mule she is not. To free herself from her marriage with Killicks she had to first strip away the symbolic representation of the marriage. Janie proceeds to do just that with Logan and lets him know “he ain't done her no favor by marryin' her" (Hurston 31). By refusing to conform to Logan’s rule and deviating from the patriarchal tradition Janie finds herself as woman, but it is not until she accepts her responsibilities and duties that she becomes a woman. This is a feminist action because Janie is willing to leave a husband who makes her unhappy, which was very rare for women in the 1930's.

Elizabeth is aware that at least one sister in her family must marry a rich man, but she is aware of the consequences of marrying a man with the wrong intentions. She rejects Mr. Bingley for his intentions, which do not measure up to her own. She protected herself from an unhealthy relationship, which disappointed her mother and sisters. She would eventually fall in love with Mr. Darcy, whose true colors are revealed to Elizabeth after she spends time with

This can be seen by the numerous proposals Boldwood makes as if it seems he cannot take no for an answer. This can be seen when having been proposed to Bathsheba replies ‘I do not feel – what would justify me to – in accepting your offer’, showing Boldwood’s awkwardness is spreading to Bathsheba, this quote shows Bathsheba trying to say no, however ‘giving back dignity for dignity’ however Boldwood will not take it and out pour his emotions in the ‘opening of the sluices’. Troy however sees Bathsheba not as someone who he needs, but as another girl to add to the collection. Hardy shows Troy as more of an expert when it comes to courting girls. The reader already knows he is having a relationship with Fanny Robin so his courting Bathsheba conjures up antagonism from the reader.

First, Anowa being a strange woman who refuses to get married and when she finally does decide to get married the man whom she picks is not fitting of her mother’s expectations this is the rift that starts the fall of Anowa. In the Global Crossroads World Literature Badua tells Anowa that “Marriage is like a piece of cloth… and like cloth; its beauty passes with wear and tear” (Iglesias, Mays, and Pierce103). The cloth signifies strength and beauty of a marriage but without the proper consideration and care it will not last. Badua tries to tell her daughter that what may look good today later on may not be so pleasant and may very well rip apart in time ; but because Anowa’s pride she replies to her mother “I like mine and it is none of your business. I do not care, Mother.

Marriage in Rossetti's Promises Like Pie-Crust and Poe's Bridal Ballad In Christina Rossetti's "Promises Like Pie-Crust" and Edgar Allan Poe's "Bridal Ballad" female speakers encounter the milestone of marriage. Facing strong pressures from society, Rossetti's speaker refuses marriage in three well-reasoned arguments which are veiled in a guise of superciality. Conversely, Poe's speaker accepts marriage, but by the end of the poem realizes the dire consequences of her decision. Rossetti knows what she wants and does not want out of life; subsequently, Rossetti realizes that personal satisfaction and even joy may exist without a man and thus makes the tough decision not to marry. Poe's naive bride trusts in society and marries not out of love but in an attempt to attain happiness.

This led to a great debate and a dispute between the Knight’s brothers named Placebo and Justinus. While Placebo told January to take his own decision without taking anybody’s opinion into consideration, Justinus counseled against marriage since women are fickle. January then decided to get married. January, wished to have a young wife of no older than thirty, for a young wife would be more pliable, but Placebo warned him that it takes great courage for such an aged man to take a young wife. He warned him of the misery that can come from taking a wife, for she could be shrewish or a drunkard, facts that a husband will not learn until well into the marriage.