Julius Caesar Gender Discrimination

Throughout centuries men have been seen as the gender that have more rights than women. According to Diane Elizabeth Dreher’s 1986 book, Domination & Defiance: Fathers and Daughters in Shakespeare, she explains that a woman during renaissance England, “was to conform patiently and silently to the will of her father and, later, to that of her husband, accepting commands, correction, physical abuse, with sweetness and humility” (16). As a result of a renaissance society that promotes and even encourages this type of behavior, men believe that they have more power. When someone believes that they have more power than another person a pattern of disrespect, and in the most extreme cases, physical and emotional abuse are likely to follow. In Hamlet, Shakespeare contrasts two female leads of the play, Ophelia and Gertrude, through reduction to appearance, instrumentality, and silencing in order to show that during this time period, the objectification of women in the play was parallel to the objectification of women during renaissance England.

In the play “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, women play an important role. The women are important factors in foreshadowing and in the development of many of the characters. To look at the role of women in the play we must look deeper in to the roles of the only two women in the play; Calpurnia, wife of Caesar, and Portia, wife of Brutus. Both of these women are key in foreshadowing the murder of Caesar. After Caesar’s murder we do not hear much of either of them.

By using pathos and repetition, Portia uses Brutus’ name and makes it clear that with their bond of marriage she should be allowed to know the secrets her husband keeps. Brutus is not a skilled orator and Portia uses rhetorical devices to show her devotion to her husband. Her strong oration and use of repetition attracts Brutus’ attention. Portia also uses a rhetorical question in which she proves her strength of why she should know the secret. When Portia reveals her strength she states, “Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience. / And not my husband’s secrets” (2.1.323,324). With the use of a rhetorical question, Portia is not asking for an answer. She is just trying to prove her point that she can bear with knowing the secret. Although it is a question, she is not really confused, but rather is proving that she is liable. Her question is not looking for an answer but is allowing Brutus to think about why he can’t tell her. The use of a rhetorical question shows that she is able to deal with her husbands secrets. She states that she can deal with a stab in the thigh, so she also could handle knowing the secret Brutus is

Just by this extract from the play proves how women were treated more like objects than human beings during Shakespearean times.

One of the most noticeable notions in the plays was the power that men held over women. The gender roles in society of that time were well known. Men held the power and influence in society while women were there to obey. In Dulcitius, Hrotswitha displayed how Dulcitius attempted to “scare them with threats of dreadful punishment” in order to make the three sisters bend to his will (107). Although he continuously tried to do so, the sisters resisted, withstanding his coercion, another type of power. The men of the plays endeavored to make the women submit to their requests no matter the women’s feelings or thoughts. Women were also at a disadvantage because they had no control over what men did to them in their lives. This is present when Callimachus told Drusiana that he would trap her if she would not give into his desires. Callimachus’s exertion of power forced Drusiana to make a decision between shame and death, which pushed her towards God. Another example of coercion presented in

Throughout human history we can deduce that women were typically regarded with lesser importance compared to men. According to historylearningsite.co.uk, this argument is proved especially true in Medieval England, for societal norms resulted in the harsh treatment of women. Males dominated the society and felt that they were superior to women. This theory still remains accurate in "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare and "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines. The similarities between the women in the play and the novel are beyond abundant; nevertheless, their differences are what set the apart as a very important element to the plot. The significance of women to the development of the plot cannot be undermined, for it is monumental. The women in "A Gathering of Old Men" and the women in "Julius Caesar" compare and contrast through their desire to protect others, through how they were treated, and through how they feel about equality.

While it is true that the branches of the U.S. and Roman governments are similar, your statement about the position of the Caesar, or emperor, is incorrect. Rome did not crown its first emperor until nearly twenty years after Julius Caesar's death. The executive branch of the Roman Republic was composed of two elected consuls who served for a single year to prevent them from becoming too powerful. Futhermore, though women's rights have progressed significantly since the Roman Republic, women in the United States today still have a long way to go. Women can run for president, but there has never been a female president. This is largely because women are still looked upon as inferior in most parts of society. Women also receive smaller wages

In a cast of over 30 characters, there are only two women. This is a statement describing the world renown play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. These two female characters are Calpurnia, the wife of Julius Ceasar, and Portia, the wife of Marcus Brutus. Other than these two women, the cast is composed entirely of male characters. In a work of literature so populated by men, one may ask why Shakespeare takes the time to include any women at all. However, after further reflection, it is clear to see the reason as to why they are included. Upon including Calpurnia and Portia in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare deepens our understanding of their husbands, highlights the social values of the time, and

All things considered, women are very underestimated when being compared to men. All women in this play were without power, a stay at home wife, without a clue and without the ability to stand on their own two feet. Whereas every male character in the play held all the power, were the bread winners, were rational and more than capable to think and be on their own. What this

From the expansion days of Ancient Rome to the fall of the Roman Empire, women have always succumbed to living subjacent to the status of their omnipotent and dominant male figures. After leaving her childhood home and the rule of her father, a young Roman girl would then be coerced into the dominion of her husband, often taking a plethora of roles, ranging from lover, caretaker, and best friend. It is often lightheartedly stated that, “Behind every great man is an even greater woman,” and William Shakespeare exemplifies this concept beautifully in Julius Caesar, in which he effectively used the spouses of the two main characters to add more depth, drama, and literary elements to the play, bringing it to life. Although the only two

     For thousands of years, humanity has been ruled mainly by a Patriarchal society. In this society women have often been seen as objects or inferior humans through the eyes of their male counterparts. The Elizabethan era was no exception to these beliefs, and works of literature often supported these misogynistic views. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, however, the author appears to portray the characters of Portia and Calphurnia in a positive light, ignoring the common stereotypes often associated with female characters. Although Portia and Calphurnia have minor parts in the play, their strength is discernible. Both female characters are portrayed as

When observing gender in our society, women and men are stereotyped with specific roles. Men have always been seen as the family’s main source of income whereas the women take care of their home and children. However, Shakespeare challenges these gender roles in his play with the three female characters Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. While all three are independent, powerful women and even lead their armies into battle, the men seem to be foolish and weak such as King Lear and Albany. Furthermore, Mira cel Batran makes a point in her essay, “Feminist Reading of William Shakespeare’s King Lear”, that although women are regarded as dependent on men, Shakespeare explains that it can be the exact opposite. The men seem to depend on the women such as King Lear depending on Cordelia and Albany depending on Goneril. Shakespeare, in his play, King Lear, portrays women who are strong and intelligent and men who are weak or overpowered by female characters, challenging the societal belief that women are inherently less than or dependent on men.

Women are a very important part of this world although they are sometimes not portrayed that way. One would think they would be seen as significant because of the fact that women make up almost half of the world’s population. Throughout all of history, females have been considered the weaker sex. In the play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, women are portrayed as weak minded and unfaithful. The inability to correctly make important life decisions, a weakened mental state, and complete obedience to men all contribute to this point.

Not only can women pretend to be men, therefore exhibit the commonly associated prestige; they can also exceed men’s capabilities. In the contraband letter, Bellario describes Balthasar (Portia in disguise) as a young man, but urges everyone in the court to "let his lack of years be no impediment" (IV i161) even though wisdom and keen sense are often associated with established adults. At first, Portia seems to support Shylock when she contemplates the case, so he remarks, "How much more elder art though than thy looks!" (IV i250). Portia’s looks are deceptive, but she is actually hiding her sex, not her age. Shylock is unknowingly amazed by a female’s intellect and continues to praise Portia repeatedly when he refers to her as a "noble", "wise and upright", "most rightful", and "most learned" judge (IV i245-303). After Portia shifts her argument to favor Antonio, Gratiano praises her in similar ways. Her intelligence astounds the court. In the final scene, Antonio, Bassanio, and Gratiano "are all amazed" (V i266) when Portia reveals the secret identities she and Nerissa took on. She proves that women can demonstrate more keen intellect than

Portia: Portia, being one of the main characters and the romantic heroine of the play, must be presented to the audience as a graceful, beautiful and intelligent person. We all know she’s beautiful, that needs no convincing. Portia is usually a fairly self-controlled person who likes to keep problems between her and her trustworthy lady-in-waiting, Nerissa. However there are certain times when she lets slip that she is an anxious person for example when Bassanio arrives at her mansion and is about to choose a casket. She has fallen in love with him and is having great difficulty in trying to conceal that fact. Her anxiety and confusion is what makes her lose her composure. Portia’s other appealing characteristic- probably one of the most apparent- is her graciousness, her amazing way of handling a situation with tact and