The Significance of Gender Roles in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shr

Gender roles ar undeniably a fundamental base of critique in literature, particularly since judge gender roles contrive evolved in recent years. More importantly, the transcendence of these gender expectations indicates the possibility for transformation and increase liberation in order of magnitude. History explores many different stages for the sexes and their respective roles, from traditional anti-feminist times in which certain roles were strictly enforced, to more modern beliefs entailing liberate will and a lack of restrictions. In spite of this progress, there argon always those who expedite the process while there are others that resist development from occurring, even when it is necessary. Literary works in particular look as a showcase for the progression of gender roles, but nonetheless reveal that through time certain elements remain consistent. Two authors who wrote in radically different time periods, William Shakespeare and Lorraine Hansberry, wrote plays that pose a threat to expected and traditional gender roles. The Taming of the Shrew (1623) is an example of an earlier work, which involves characters that manage to tear their expected roles by acting out of the ordinary. A shrew, which is literally be as either a small rodent-like animal or a woman with a harsh and nagging temperament (American Heritage vocabulary 1285), is used in reference to Katherine, the daughter of Baptista, who counters the expectation of women to act instrumental by being loud and outspoken. In the end, even though Katherine seems to have submitted herself to societys expectation of women, she is really only conforming in order to benefit her social role, since she realizes that accepting her role in society will be easier than counteri... ...ple are cruel, she still has big dreams of going to Africa with Asagai and turn a doctor. In their plays, Shakespeare and Hansberry share a common element, which seems to say that several(prenominal) thin gs, such as society and its expectations, are timeless. Society sets up expectations that are accepted and preferable to other members of society, and Katherine and Beneatha serve not only to represent this ideology but also to argue against it and draw attention to the unending gender expectation of society.Works CitedHartwig, Joan. Horses and Women in The Taming of the Shrew. 45. 4. (1982Autumn) 285-294.Newman, Karen. The Taming of the Shrew A Modern Perspective. 229-238.Shrew. American Heritage Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002.Wilkerson, Margaret B. A Raisin in the Sun Anniversary of an American Classic. 38.2. (1986 Dec) 441-453.