The Slipping Slope of Sovereignty: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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The Slipping Slope of Sovereignty

Before the Middle Ages, women were societally submissive to male supremacy. As the Middle Ages progressed, one develops a sense that women sought a change in societal order. Upset that they are not able to share their beliefs due to their position, women began to become more vocal. In comparing two great poets Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare, one sees a connection in their most well known works. Chaucer's view on women, demonstrated by the “Wife of Bath’s Tale” and the Wife’s belief that all women desire sovereignty, is welcomed by William Shakespeare but not achievable by Hamlet’s female protagonists, Gertrude and Ophelia.

Chaucer’s view aren’t clearly stated but it can be interpreted that he respected the male social hierarchy. However, he liked women to show their beliefs and be able to gain their respect in society. In, Women in Geoffery Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales: Women as a Narrator, Women in the Narrative, written by Vladislava Vaněčková, Chaucer classifies women into their distinct social levels and claims to give them a chance to express their somewhat selfish beliefs so they can achieve happiness (4-5). Some women seek to mainly better themselves, while other women seek to better all women; demonstrating hardly known traits of a feminist (Vaněčková 5-6). For example, the Wife in the “Wife of Bath’s Tale”, represents a ignorant feminist because she has a view for all women but has no moral that completes her idea.

Additionally, Wife of Bath’s idea and desire is for all women to achieve sovereignty which doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t favor men. As you can see, the Wife acts as a feminist here. Although, Alison wants to have the power in the relationship, she b...

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