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Example research essay topic: Male Vs Female Honor - 1,418 words

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Male vs. Female Honor William Shakespeare is by far one of the most highly praised playwrights known to humanity. Within the conceptual framework of his plays, he explored various social issues, and honor evidently was one of those issues. Within the scope of this research, we will elaborate on male and female honor in two of Shakespeare's plays Hamlet and Much Ado about Nothing. In Hamlet, Shakespeare illustrates how womens honor transforms into the ability to escape the traditional gender roles, while males honor is shown as mens reluctance to allow women do so. In Much Ado about Nothing, Beatrice and Benedict, two main characters, are both honorable people, and Shakespeare compares the manifestations of male and female honor in this play.

Women in Shakespeare's plays are rather different than in the plays of his contemporaries. They attempt to step out of traditional female roles and search for equal rights. They rebel against the male oppression. Shakespeare shows womens honor by illustrating their escape of the traditional gender roles, while males honor is looked at as trying to make women behave as they should according to mens attitudes. Ophelia had pre-marital relations with young Hamlet and Gertrude married her brother-in-law. Both women were able to make their men do as they please, because of their uncanny ability to manipulate men with their femininity.

First and foremost, the relationship that Ophelia had with Hamlet caused total chaos for the people that were involved. This was seen as rebellious by Ophelia because during that time it was considered taboo; women were to remain innocent and virginal until marriage. Polonius indicated his discontent when he said, Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers, Not of that dye which their investment show, But mere impl orators of unholy suits, Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds, The better to beguile. (Shakespeare, p. 67) This shows that Ophelia was disobeying her father, which is still frowned upon to this day, and yet she was carefree. What Ophelia did was controversial; she fell in love without being married. Marriages were arranged and usually the female had not experienced true love ever before.

Ophelia had a free spirit that could not be tamed and she opened the doors to pre-marital relationships. It is evident why she managed to fall in love with Hamlet. Laertes depicts falling in love with Hamlet as a treacherous act when he said, Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, And keep within the rear of your affection, Out of the shot and danger of desire. (Shakespeare, p. 114) Some fall in love only with people that provide them with a rush. That is the situation with Ophelia. The reason she loves him is because he is perceived to be a threat to the people around him and that is what turns Ophelia on.

Furthermore, Gertrude's controversial marriage to Claudius also managed to infuriate some of the characters in this marvelous play. The reason this marriage took place was so that Gertrude could keep her rank within society, that being queen and the power that came with it. If she had not married Claudius, then his wife would have been crowned, whenever that may have happened. That is why Gertrude seized the opportunity that she was presented with, so she could remain a monarch of Denmark. This, in turn shows the intelligence level of Gertrude and what she was capable of.

Women in the Elizabethan Era were not educated and considered to be property of their male counter part. Yet, Gertrude managed to break through this glass capsule that women were encompassed in by conceiving a divine plan that revolved around her ambitions. Hamlet was disenchanted by the marriage and expressed his disapproval when he made the remark, for, look you, how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within these two hours. (Shakespeare, p. 66) Hamlet was frustrated because he thought Gertrude did not properly mourn his father's death. Hamlet also felt that his father was betrayed and lacked the authority to do anything about it. This is relevant because Hamlet was powerless to his mother and at that time in history, it should have been vice versa.

Finally, the women had the uncanny ability to manipulate their male counter parts with their femininity. Hamlet realized the power Ophelia possessed when he uttered, God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another; you jig, you amble, and you lisp. (Shakespeare, p. 201) Although males and females perceive honor rather differently, Shakespeare is able to illustrate both views in Hamlet. In Much Ado about Nothing, Shakespeare presents Beatrice and Benedict as ideal for each other; however they can also be seen as very different people. Their views of love, marriage, courtship and honor are different, however Shakespeare illustrates that they are both honorable people, although they think about honor differently. Beatrice and Benedict have been said to be the most effective figures of Much Ado about Nothing. Their wit, although at first seemingly presented as the same, is actually quite different.

Intelligent as she is, Beatrice reflects very little of herself in her wit. Instead, she fiercely expels it whenever something inspires her to do so I wonder that you will still be talking, Signor Benedict nobody marks you. (Shakespeare, p. 77) Benedict's wit, on the other hand, is presented by Shakespeare as more reflective in its content especially when he is on his own. He reflects not only on himself but also on other people and what they have said of him The Princes fool! - it is the base, the bitter disposition of Beatrice that puts the world into her person. (Shakespeare, p. 109) It is almost as pungent as Beatrice's, with the entire pleasantry. It is, however, a lot less spontaneous, henceforth Beatrice always gets the better of him in their little skirmishes. Benedict is known by the other characters in the play as a notorious scorner of women and of romantic love.

Benedict is quite superior to the other male characters of the play. When the grave occasion of the wedding between Hero and Claudio comes, he postpones his habits of mocking and jesting, and we see his wisdom and intelligence shine through. When Hero is accused of being promiscuous, when even her father is convinced of her guilt, he is the first to suspect that the practice of it lives in John the Bastard. (Shakespeare, p. 140) The same can be said about Beatrice who proves herself to be brave and generous showing both Beatrice to have superior morals to the other characters in Much Ado About Nothing as well as showing them to be matched morally as well as intellectually. She prides herself on her fast wit and intelligence, but as soon as Hero is accused, she becomes serious and full of resentment and anger towards Claudio. However, her anger is noble and very righteous.

Shakespeare used Beatrice comically to diffuse the uproar that could have been caused by his exploration of gender roles whilst still addressing the issues. Beatrice is very aggressive in her verbal attacks and indeed, the witty remarks and conversation are not typical of an upper-class Elizabethan lady. Despite aspiring to male stature and privilege in society, she retains her femininity and is lady-like at all times. She is polite to her piers and is described by Don Pedro as a pleasant spirited lady. (Shakespeare, p. 183) This shows that she is willing to except at least part of her role in society and would still be flexible when it came to marriage. Both Beatrice and Benedict suffer the humiliation of being tricked into falling in love with each other by the other characters in the play, however their honor does not allow them to complain. Benedict and Beatrice are likely to succeed because of their personality similarities and because their marriage is not likely to become boring.

Benedicts and Beatrice's mutual love separates them from the other characters of Much Ado about Nothing. Beatrice, especially, wants an open honest and committed relationship where they hold equal position. Their compromise to not woo peaceably but to love no more that reason shows that their relationship will be equal and that their love will never fade because the meanings and boundaries of their perception of honor will be continually redefined and compromised upon. Words Count: 1, 389. Bibliography: Shakespeare, W. Hamlet.

New York: Random House, 1987. Shakespeare, W. Much Ado about Nothing. New York: Random House, 1985.


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Research essay sample on Male Vs Female Honor

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