Cleopatra: Shakespeare’s analysis of women’s alienation

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

3 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

01/12/2009

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Literature

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Summary :

Introduction.
The use of common prejudices to analyse women in society.
1. Cleopatra as the puritan stereotype of femininity.
2. An analysis of the place of women in society.
Cleopatra's search for nobility.
1. Cleopatra's evolution.
2. Cleopatra's death.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.

Abstract

According to Yves Bonnefoy shakespeare wanted to do with Antony and cleopatra more than a political analysis of Rome. Indeed, shakespeare analysed in this play the place of women in the Roman society, in order to make a comparison with their role in his own society. At the beginning of the XVIIth century, Puritans made virulent attacks against theatre, accusing it of destabilizing the social order, in particular because the theatre gave too much importance to women, who were considered as fiends. shakespeare usually showed in his plays no prejudice against women. Worried by the criticisms towards theatre, he analysed the alienation of women in his society and their relations to men. Moreover, the fact that women's roles were played on stage by male actors who were forced to caricature them strengthened the subordination of women to men and perpetuated the contempt for women.