... spy "her coming had bred an alteration", and that even "the eyes of the barbarous people [fixed their eyes] with admiration upon her" it is this modification in atmosphere, brought about by her physical appearance which allowed Cleophila to "use the advantage of time" . Opening with the acknowledgment that "an unused thing it is that a woman should give public council to ... 's two bodies and Cleophila arise with startling regularity. In a world where traditional gender roles have been in some respects capsized, many questions are posed concerning Sidney's motivation. The issues of gende...

• Word Count: 1452
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Graduate

... dictated that a woman should marry to either preserve or advance social ties and familial goals, not to gratify her own romantic or sexual needs or desires. Egeus is so insistent about the importance of maintaining the dominant gender paradigm that he entreats Theseus to use the full weight and penalty of the law to punish his daughter if she does not ... social order because it advances his own interests.In other words, gender roles and expectations are being stated to this strong female character in no uncertain terms. What is remarkable about Hermia's response to both her father and ...

• Word Count: 2208
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate