The Twelfth Night, By Oscar Wilde - 1158 Words

Sociology teaches that society has naturally produces standards, that people are preferred to follow. Gender, arguably is basis from which all following norms branch from. Pierre Bourdieu writes in his boot â€Å"Masculine Domination†, â€Å"The social world constructs the body as a sexually defined reality and is the depository of sexual defining principles of vision and division† (Pierre 11). These divisions produce gender roles that are based on the patriarchy. Traditionally, gender roles states that men are the leaders in society and the family, while women play submissive role in raising children and caring for the immediate needs for the family. However, William Shakespeare’s Olivia, in the Twelfth Night, and Oscar Wilde’s Gwendolen, in the comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest narrative seemingly contradict orthodox gender norms. Olivia and Gwendolen both live in a social construct based on male dominance. Yet both of them upends this norm and pla y dominant role in both of their relationships. In his play the Twelfth Night, Shakespeare uses Lady Olivia to illustrate the complexities of love and courtship by altering the gender roles of Elizabethan society. In the beginning of the play, Olivia has recently lost her husband. Due to her unbearable grief, she commits herself to seclusion and celibacy for the next seven years. In the meantime, the powerful nobleman Orsino has fallen madly in love with Olivia. As Olivia exhibits passiveness and becomes the object of desire of aShow MoreRelatedOthello, By William Shakespeare1543 Words   |  7 Pagessat abaft a screen pretending to be the antithesis sex, or just someone innominate in order to get our true feelings and emotions out. Similarly, Shakespeare utilizes the theme of disguise in countless plays, specifically in As you like it and Twelfth Night. Although many may postulate that he has disguised certain characters as the opposite gender solely for comedic purposes, the reason behind it is significantly deeper and complex. By disguising the actors as the opposite gender, also known as cross-dressingRead MoreCultural Analysis For Doing Business8067 Words   |  33 Pagesapparent ministerial ills. In 1168 the English attacked the island and before long started summoning changes, numerous managing the giving of area, and a large number of which disregarded the conventional political and social structure. From the last twelfth century to around 1400, numerous Norman s from England moved to Ireland and settled the eastern territories, especially around Dublin. Some absorbed yet strife persevered between the local Irish and the settlers. In 1367 a law was instituted to keep