Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
I can understand and describe the extent to which Miranda meets the expectations of a patriarchal society.
Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
I can understand and describe the extent to which Miranda meets the expectations of a patriarchal society.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shakespearean society was a patriarchal society.
- Women had less legal rights than men and faced social pressure to be subservient to men.
- Miranda is shown as compassionate, beautiful, intelligent and optimistic.
- Miranda is also shown as questioning her father’s decisions.
- Miranda could be considered as both subverting and meeting the expectations of patriarchal society.
Common misconception
Students sometimes think that women were completely powerless in Shakespeare's time.
While there were legal restrictions and social pressures on women in Shakespeare's time, there were some women who had power and influence.
Keywords
Patriarchal - A patriarchal society is where men hold positions of control and are considered more important than women.
Subvert - To subvert means to undermine the power or authority of an established system by going against the rules.
Stereotype - A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like.
Subservient - Being subservient means you’re willing to do what other people want and consider your own wishes less important.
Equipment
You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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