“Literature over Time Has Reflected a Shift in Power Between Men and Women” Compare and Contrast the Ways in Which You Three Chosen Writers Present the Balance of Power Between Men and Women.
Each writer we have studied has studied issues in the power struggles of men and women. It seems Coetzee has questioned the role of men in modern society – he questions what it means to be man. In Disgrace Coetzee also explores how gender affests our morals and actions, presenting us with controversial issues of rape and sexuality. And the oppressive nature of men over women – presented largely through the character of petrus
In Shakesperes Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespere seems to have been inspired by the amount of change takeing place in his own society as his own country was ruled by a female leader - Elizabeth I. Cleopatra plays with gender, but not to overcome social or family obstacles but to change conventional definitions. He has emphasized the influence and possibilities that a woman in control can possess.
During patriarchal time periods men were rulers and they held a disproportional share of power. Shakespeare portrayed Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, as a commanding presence. She controlled Egypt, Antony and even Caesar. She seems to be one of the few women in History who could use their feminity and sexuality to their advange in her relationships and the decisions that governed both Rome and Egypt. The dramatic part of Cleopatra questions patriarchal ways and questions the dynamics of gender equality as she steps beyond her female role.
From the opening of Shakespeare's play we are introduced to Cleopatra's domination over Antony. Her upstaging of Antony "in theatrical terms, in military terms, and ultimately in sexual terms" (Dusinberre ) confirms the upset of equality in the play, and we consider Cleopatra the character with the most control and power.
In act 1 scene 1, Philo, one of Antony's followers, describes his concerns that Antony, once a great soldier, is now being led by his heart and jeopardizes his place as an officer. In act 2, scene 5, Cleopatra brags of her control over Antony. - "Tawny-finned fishes. My bended hook shall pierce
In Shakesperes Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespere seems to have been inspired by the amount of change takeing place in his own society as his own country was ruled by a female leader - Elizabeth I. Cleopatra plays with gender, but not to overcome social or family obstacles but to change conventional definitions. He has emphasized the influence and possibilities that a woman in control can possess.
During patriarchal time periods men were rulers and they held a disproportional share of power. Shakespeare portrayed Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, as a commanding presence. She controlled Egypt, Antony and even Caesar. She seems to be one of the few women in History who could use their feminity and sexuality to their advange in her relationships and the decisions that governed both Rome and Egypt. The dramatic part of Cleopatra questions patriarchal ways and questions the dynamics of gender equality as she steps beyond her female role.
From the opening of Shakespeare's play we are introduced to Cleopatra's domination over Antony. Her upstaging of Antony "in theatrical terms, in military terms, and ultimately in sexual terms" (Dusinberre ) confirms the upset of equality in the play, and we consider Cleopatra the character with the most control and power.
In act 1 scene 1, Philo, one of Antony's followers, describes his concerns that Antony, once a great soldier, is now being led by his heart and jeopardizes his place as an officer. In act 2, scene 5, Cleopatra brags of her control over Antony. - "Tawny-finned fishes. My bended hook shall pierce