Sexual stereotyping of women in William Shakespeare’s measure for measure

Oleh :
Lina Wulandari - C0395044 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRAK In the Renaissance England, more avenues were open for the advancement of women. Women were encouraged to achieve good education, equal to men. But the advancement of women in Renaissance England was limited by some obstacles, which were mainly caused by sexual stereotypes. The view of women in Renaissance England was stereotypical. Women were seen to be physically and intellectually inferior to men. Women were viewed with contempt; they were seen as the temptress who caused men to fall into sin. Because of these assumptions, it was assumed that a woman’s place was at home, and she was not trusted in public affairs. Based on these phenomena, the researcher conducted this research. This research analyzed the sexual stereotyping of women in Measure for Measure, a comedy written by William Shakespeare in 1604. This research was a library research, which aimed to describe what kinds of sexual stereotyping of women are revealed in Measure for Measure. To reach this aim, the researcher employed feminist literary criticism approach. After analyzing the play, the research came out with a conclusion that there are some kinds of sexual stereotyping of women in Measure for Measure. Women were viewed to be inferior to men, physically and intellectually. Women were expected to have virtues like chastity, and also fidelity and obedience toward their husbands. Measure for Measure also reveals the prejudice toward women, they were seen to be liable to temptation, and at the same time they were seen as the temptress who caused men to fall into sin. These stereotypes are revealed by characters in the play such as Lucio, Angelo, Isabella, Mariana, Juliet, and Kate Keepdown. There is also a generalization that all women should seek for marriage, for all women in the play got married, even Isabella who had been determined to be a nun.