Although ‘The Winters Tale’ seems to challenge contemporary attitudes towards women, in the final analysis it affirms them, do you agree?

... English Literature Coursework Question: - Although 'The Winters Tale' seems to challenge contemporary attitudes towards women, in the final analysis it affirms them, do you agree? In 'The Winters Tale' there is arguments for both sides of this statement. The play starts off with Leontes watching his wife, Hermione, and his best friend Polixenes talking to each other, he seems to think they are flirting and becomes jealous. He even worries that he is not the real father of his son Mamiillius. He says "Why that's my bawcock. What! Hast smutched thy nose? Leontes sees Hermione some how as his possession. At the time when this play was being written women did not have very many rights. This is shown by a quote which explains how suspected witches were treated, this treatment was inhumane and shows the lack of women's rights "Having taken the suspected Witch, she is placed in the middle

want to read more? →