Introduction
Though the impression that numerous Shakespearean plays on fathers and daughters are very similar to each other is awaken, however this is not true. Many plays depict the same situations with similar circumstances, still it is a great fallacy to suppose that there is only few variation. Indisputably each play has different essential themes, different focus and particulars. Many elements seem similar or actually are really similar, however Shakespeare’s subtle works are nevertheless unique and ingenious - each peace of work its own way.
Among Shakespeare’s tragedies and comedies there are a lot of plays in which the relationship between parents with their children is focussed. Particularly interesting is the relationship between fathers and daughters as it is most controversial.
Shakespeare destines most of the father- daughter pairs to fail. Usually the father proves to be inept and incapable as he neither knows his own child’s nature, nor is he able or willing to get to know her. His paternal authority does not allow him to descent on his daughter’s level and make an attempt to understand her will and her needs. All the inept fathers of the further discussed plays undergo punishment - the death, either his daughter’s or his own or both die. On that account he can be empathised with, of course, but yet it is often his lack of wisdom which results in a tragedy.
Most of Shakespearian daughters are rebels who contradict their father’s word and will. Obedience is every daughter’s main duty and those who make an exception to the rule are definitely just as incapable daughters. However in comedies it is perfectly legitimate for a daughter to make her own choices and still be happy. Whereas in tragedies Shakespeare is not very generous with his heroines and does not bestow them such a lucky lot - pretty much as their fathers.
The present essay consists of two parts. The first chapter concentrates especially on the father figures and the second one on their daughters. The selection of the works is undertaken according to the plots in which the interaction between fathers and daughters is central. In this essay following plays are analysed in detail: Romeo and Juliet, Othello, the Moor of Venice, King Lear, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest. Six various father-daughter constellations arise from the four tragedies and two comedies.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Inept and capable fathers
- Rebellious and obeying daughters
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the complex dynamics of father-daughter relationships in select Shakespearean plays, focusing on how these relationships shape the plot and character development. It seeks to explore the contrasting portrayals of fathers and daughters, highlighting the themes of parental authority, filial obedience, and the impact of societal expectations on both genders.
- The portrayal of fathers and their competence or incompetence in understanding their daughters' needs and desires.
- The role of filial obedience and rebellion in shaping the relationship between fathers and daughters.
- The consequences of parental decisions, particularly those related to marriage, on the lives of both daughters and fathers.
- The impact of love and choice on the relationship between fathers and daughters, exploring instances of forced marriage, forbidden love, and the struggle for self-determination.
- The contrast between tragic and comedic outcomes in father-daughter relationships, analyzing how these different genres influence the portrayal of characters and the resolution of conflicts.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter explores the characterization of fathers in selected Shakespearean plays, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, particularly in their interactions with their daughters. It examines how the fathers' actions and decisions, often driven by societal expectations and personal ambitions, shape the fate of their daughters. The chapter analyzes how these paternal figures fail to understand their daughters' needs and desires, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes.
The second chapter focuses on the portrayal of daughters in the plays, analyzing their responses to their fathers' actions and societal pressures. The chapter explores the daughters' choices and struggles for self-determination, particularly in the context of arranged marriages and forbidden love. It examines how the daughters' actions and attitudes reflect the societal expectations of women, exploring themes of obedience, rebellion, and the complexities of female agency in Shakespeare's time.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay examines the complex relationship between fathers and daughters in Shakespearean plays, focusing on themes of parental authority, filial obedience, arranged marriage, forbidden love, and the consequences of societal expectations. It explores the contrasting portrayals of father figures, analyzing their competence or incompetence in understanding their daughters' needs and desires, and the impact of their decisions on the lives of both daughters and fathers. It also investigates the role of female agency in Shakespearean plays, examining how daughters navigate societal pressures and strive for self-determination, exploring the complexities of love, choice, and rebellion in a patriarchal society.
- Quote paper
- Lorianna Sarbailowa (Author), 2009, Fathers and daughters in selected Shakespearean plays, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/140427