In the vast world of literature, writers explore a wide range of themes, including gender roles and social expectations. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, the theme of gender roles is prominent throughout the play. Women are expected to be subservient to men in the patriarchal society depicted in the play. This gender hierarchy is challenged in Fairyland, where women are granted power and agency. The work therefore reflects the misogyny of its time, in which women had limited social standing in the real world. However, the women in the play ultimately demonstrate their true power and abilities, despite the oppressive attitudes of the male characters. Overall, to discuss A Midsummer Night's Dream in terms of gender roles, this essay analyzes the balance of power between male and female characters and the level of misogyny in the work. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Characters' Depiction of Gender Role Relationships Aegeus, Hermia's father, is the most misogynistic male in A Midsummer Night's Dream. He dehumanizes his daughter Hermia by objectifying her and depriving her of her human rights and dignity. As the only parent, Egeus takes responsibility for Hermia and makes all her choices for her, regardless of her consent: “Because she is mine, I can dispose of her” (Shakespeare 5). Aegeus' constant possession of Hermia shows that he only sees her as his property, not as a human. By objectifying his daughter, he has no qualms about imposing his decisions on her. The most important decision that Aegeus forces on Hermia is the choice of whom she will marry: “She is mine, and all my rights in her I yield to Demetrius” (Shakespeare 6). Not only does Aegeus mistakenly give Hermia's property to Demetrius, but he fails to take Hermia's opinion on this matter into account. Hermia, who is not at all interested in Demetrius, is in love with Lysander. In this society, marriage is a political tool used to raise social status. Since Lysander is below Hermia's social class, Aegeus refuses to consider him a permissible choice: "O hell, choose love from another's eyes" (Shakespeare 8). Hermia is torn between being the obedient daughter she was raised to be and wanting to marry the man she loves. “I would that my father would look only with my eyes” (Shakespeare 5). By saying this, Hermia wishes her father would look through her perspective before making decisions for her. Although Egeus insists on choosing her future husband, Hermia desperately tries to convince him otherwise. “Hermia [… is] hindered in [her] choice in spite of men socially positioned to deny matches,” (Buccola par 8). Since A Midsummer Night's Dream is set in a society based on male supremacy, it is considered illegal for Hermia to defy her father's wishes. While Aegeus demonstrates the most common form of misogyny, male supremacy, other characters demonstrate different variations of prejudice against women. While Demetrius may act lovingly towards Hermia, he is still openly demeaning and cruel to the other women in the play. He constantly denigrates Helena, Hermia's friend, even refusing to treat her like a human being. Helena pleads, “What worse place can I ask for in your love and yet a place of great respect with me than to be used as you use your dog?” to which Demetrius replies, “Do not tempt my spirit to hate me too much, for I am sick when I look upon you” (Shakespeare 8). The way he treats Helena reflects his viewof women: he doesn't see them as equal, let alone human beings. Regardless of Helena's feelings, Demetrius is relentless in hurting her. Demetrius displays sexist behavior towards Hermia by trying to force himself on her. He is in love with Hermia, based on her appearance and social class, not her character. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, when Demetrius describes Hermia, he uses words like "sweet" and "beautiful." This shows his lust, not love, for her. The reason he married her to gain power is evident in his terrible attempts to influence Hermia: “Believe, sweet Hermia, and, Lysander, yield thy foolish title to my sure right” (Shakespeare 4). He is desperately trying to convince Hermia to give in to him. Frustrated that Hermia is anything but obedient and agreeable to him, Demetrius exemplifies himself as a result of the patriarchal society of which he is a part. Another example of this patriarchal society is Oberon, the fairy king; he does not see his wife Titania as his equal. As soon as the couple appears on stage during the show, they immediately start arguing. “I will meet by moonlight, proud Titania,” (Shakespeare 19). He greets her with hostility and contempt when she enters. Oberon is jealous of the little Indian boy Titania takes care of and asks her to give him up. «Because Oberon is going through sadness and anger because she, as her servant, has a beautiful boy kidnapped from an Indian king. He's never had such a sweet shapeshifter. And […] Oberon [is jealous],” (Shakespeare 18). Oberon sees Titania as his property and doesn't think he should care for anyone other than himself. He becomes jealous when she cares for someone other than him. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oberon, like Egeus, treats Titania as his property. When Titania tries to deny Oberon, he forces himself on her. She claims, “I have given up [your] bed and your company.” To which Oberon replies: “Wait, you rash and wanton one; Am I not your lord?” Titania, seeing no means to extricate herself from this dispute, finally gave in: “Then must I be your lady” (Shakespeare 19). Although Oberon is a fairy, like Puck, he acts misogynistic towards Titania. Oberon's self-centered attitude may be linked to his title as king within the fairy community. Shakespeare's connection between misogyny and people in political power links hatred of women to fear of women whose intellect or political skill equals or exceeds that of men. Oberon feels threatened, and the way he mistreats Titania is a byproduct of his desire to maintain leadership in Fairyland: "Shakespeare portrays complex layers of power dynamics, as the play depicts a back-and-forth swing of authority and rebellion between the two worlds. of Athens and fairyland. Better recognition of folkloric views regarding the authority of the fairy queen should reorient the view of power relations in the work and offer a different model of the work's commitment. with gender and sexuality” (Wells para 6). Oberon's demotion of Titania reveals an attempt to stifle Titania's leadership and allows Oberon to see her as less of a threat. Puck, merely a servant, holds no exceptional position within the royal court, which gives him no reason to fear or hate women for their potential to surpass him. Oberon acts more misogynistic in Fairyland because he is in the position of greatest power and, therefore, feels most threatened by the opposition. When Puck inhabits Fairyland, his actions and character reflect the ideals of the fictional world in contrast to the sexism and bigotry that plagued the “real world” in the 16th century. The character of Puck in A Night's Dream by.