'M' for misogynistic or mixed feelings? : an insight into Shakespeare's issues concerning female characters

Abstract

'M' for Misogynistic or Mixed Feelings? is a study of the female characters in the Problem Plays by William Shakespeare. There may be editions which classify the Problem Plays differently, but this thesis considers and accepts the general assumption that the Problem Plays are: 'Troilus and Cressida', 'All's Well that Ends Well' and 'Measure for Measure.' This thesis focuses primarily on the female protagonists: Isabella, Cressida and Helena and studies them under various aspects and from different point of views. First of all, it attempts to review the critical opinions on such protagonists thereby delineating the nature of their portrayal; whether it is negatively or positively represented. This serves as a foil to Shakespeare's view of womanhood. In the next section, the thesis looks at the context of the age and Shakespeare's personal life to determine those factors that forced Shakespeare to write in a particular way such as laws, religion and spectators' tastes. Whereas the first section may seem to judge Shakespeare solely by his creations, this second section determines those factors that may influence his views thereby looking at his 'mixed feelings'. The third section deals with contemporary literary theory namely Feminism and Psychoanalytic Criticism. Such literary theory strengthens the validity of the argument and brings the thesis up to date with contemporary Shakespeare Criticism.