Shakespeare's Fathers and Daughters

Paper Summary:

In this essay, the writer discusses Shakespeare's work, while examining the way in which he portrays the relationship between fathers and daughters. The writer looks at the plays "King Lear" and "The Tempest," in which the daughters pursue a certain course in life due to their fathers' patriarchal actions. Further, the writer discusses the play "The Tempest," in which the character Miranda follows, although somewhat rebelliously, the eventually advantageous path set out by her father. The writer also looks at "Romeo and Juliet" in which the bonds between Juliet and her father appear to be much more loyalty bound than love oriented and patriarchy constraints are to the extreme. Using references from literature discussing Shakespeare's writings, the writer presents this view of the roles of fathers and daughters in Shakespeare's work.

From the Paper:

""Romeo and Juliet" is naturally one of the first Shakespeare plays that comes to mind when considering the role of fathers and daughters, because of the work's popularity through the years with its many modern renditions. However the bonds between Juliet and her father appear to be much more loyalty and dutiful bound than love oriented, and patriarchy constraints are to the extreme. Although Cordelia does not actually say the exact words her father, Lear, wants to hear, it is because of love not fear. Likewise, Miranda and Prospero have a very loving father-daughter relationship from the very beginning of "The Tempest." Although "Romeo and Juliet" does definitely show how a daughter's actions are set in place by her father's behavior, "King Lear" and "The Tempest" are even more interesting due to the additional conflicting relationships that exist due to this strong love between father and child."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dash, Irene. Women's World in Shakespeare's Plays. Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1977.
• Dash, Irene. Wooing Wedding and Power. New York: Columbia University Press, 1981.
• Frey, Charles. "Shakespeare's Imperiled and Chastening Daughters of Romance." South Atlantic Bulletin. (1978) 4.4.
• Hamilton, Sharon. Shakespeare's Daughters. New York: McFarland & Company, 2003.
• Hoy, Cyrus. "Fathers and Daughters in Shakespeare's Romances." In Shakespeare's Romances Considered. Carol Mcginnis. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1978, 77-91.

More papers on Shakespeare's Fathers and Daughters:

• Book Review # 93783 : "Shakespeare, Fathers and Daughters"
• Book Review # 147519 : "Fathers, Daughters and "The Merchant of Venice"
• Analytical Essay # 59836 : "Daughters Will Love Like You Do"

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