Feminism: The Unifying Fight for Gender Equality Across the World - Research Paper

Introduction

Feminism can be defined as a human belief in political, social, and economic equality for all sexes. Initially, feminism originated in Western Europe; however, feminism is now manifested in contemporary society across the world, where it is represented by multiple organizations that are based on the activities that fight for the interest and the right of women. In the entire history of Western Europe, most women were limited to a local sphere, while on the other hand, public life was set aside for men (Tandon 127). Initially, women were never given a chance to own properties, to go to school, and take part in public life. Some of the familiar experts in feminism include Peter Ives, Margaret Fuller, and Marla Brettschneider, who are known for their feminist theory that advocates for gender equality. Gender equality is the primary objective feminist would wish to achieve (Hooks 4). The dominant perception of social feminists is that men have been in charge of properties and dominance, as illustrated by Hamlet, a character in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

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Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, defines sexism as an attitude of people to believe that one gender is superior and more valued compared to the other. He brings the idea that connects with Margaret Fuller that women in society are considered to be weak. This has been established for countless decades, "along with the aspect of contemporary patriarchal society." William Shakespeare defines patriarchy as a form of society where men hold power while on the other hand, women are excluded from power (Gilmore 165). This kind of system happens in modern society in several ways and in several places around the entire world. Although the common area for these patriarchies is contained in western literature. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Polonius, establishes that he does not care much as compared to Ophelia due to his reputation, arguing that women in society are inferior. Additionally, Ophelia has inadequate refusal for being pushed around when he submits to her father's oppression that makes her be considered weak.

Feminist scholars believe that the canonical texts of western works represent individuals who have been given the mandate to speak out in western culture against gender equality (Bloom 37). This means that their view has been given significant representation, while several people establish their perception as domineering and biased from the male perspective (Bloom 148). This complaint has brought much discussion of people who criticize the cannon. To dig deeper into some issues, Shakespeare's Hamlet (45) has widely researched on the task force of the Western canon. The most vocal defender in Hamlet by William Shakespeare is Harold Bloom, who is the writer of the Western canon. Bloom has listed down the concepts that he believes entails the principle, and he tries to safeguard it. Bloom has established the critics and the enemies of the canon. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, has grouped his opponents, especially the feminist scholars, who aims to revise the cannon.

Hamlet's defense is grounded in the Western canon, which rests its aesthetic cost. The objective of Harold's complain about criticism is that some analysts and critics have been noticed "fright from the aesthetic." In this regard, Bloom knows that academic feminists and other people who criticize the canon are drawn by the political wave. Bloom's most commonly canonical author is Shakespeare, where he celebrates the work of Hamlet. His work has been encored by people who used to criticize the canon. Although the primary feminist who used to criticize the canon is supported by the task "generally not from the point of view of a woman," where the voice of the female gender is ignored, they behave as a theatrical balance to the male gender. Margaret Fuller supports the feminist believe of sexism that gender equality should be for all without discrimination (Moretti 227). She is a woman of enthusiastic sexuality who inspired Hamlet. Both genders are considered as psyches for the creation of cultural forces.

In a patriarchal society, women had adverse effects on the freedom to express themselves and be considered superior as males in the community. Connecting to Bloom's perception, men were considered to be dominant as compared to women. In this regard, the women's body was viewed as a property that was owned by men. For example, the sexual innuendo as contained in the discussion between Hamlet and Ophelia, who has been very clear to Renaissance viewers. Hamlet argues that "it is fair thought to lie between maid's legs." Feminist interpretations are strained from a male conversation, although the text lacks to establish direct information concerning Gertrude's perceptions on this issue (Ortiz 197). Destitute of thought and language become the code of women's sexuality to be translated by feminist interpretation. This kind of depiction is reminiscent of several females in Shakespearean performance.

During the time of Shakespeare's existence, several women characters were seen as anti-feminist because of the task performed by a female. Several assumptions go along as established by Hamlet using the feminist lens, which argues that female gender like Ophelia is given minimal views and roles in the play. A precise example of the marginalization of the female character by Hamlet is where Gertrude is requested to abandon males in their plans. However, Ophelia is not well understood by her male listeners, yet her fight against the oppression of the female gender arouses tension in Gertrude. People think that Ophelia has a weak mind when she mourns the death of her father (Ortiz 192). When Laertes talks about wonderment due to the death of her sister, he concludes that he must have been killed himself while attempting to escape the madness that might have been caused by the males. She accepts the fact that due to his feminine state, men might have taken advantage of her damaged state of mind. Connecting this idea to Margaret Fuller's argument, this concept is displayed maximum possession of actions that males believe in possessing properties.

The feminist literary theory has tried to rotate around the concept that literature has reflected on the thoughts and perceptions concerning male and female gender with their responsibilities in society. This type of criticism engrosses with a dimensional key of ideas and queries, thus providing a new lens that considers the concept in Shakespeare by Hamlet (Donovan 70). On the other hand, Showalter's insight concerning the representation of both gender in Hamlet is generally a revolution for those who criticize the canon. Margaret Fuller, a feminist, has made an analysis that concerted the attempt to diminish the cultural perceptions of both genders. This is because there is a significant inequality between the men and women voices that are represented in the Western canon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, from the discussion above, feminism has been defined as the fight against gender equality for all sexes. As established in the debate, feminism originated from the Western region while it is still manifested in modern society worldwide, and it is represented by several institutions based on the activities on behalf of interest and the right of women. Hamlet argues that sexism is the attitude of individuals who believe that one gender is superior and more valuable when compared to the other. Hamlet brings the idea that women in society are considered to be inferior. Several feminist scholars believe that the canonical text from Western literature represents people who have been given the power to speak out in Western culture. As established, patriarchal society has adverse impacts on the freedom to express themselves and be considered superior as males in society. Additionally, feminist literary theory has tried to spin around the concept that literature has reflected on the idea and perceptions concerning both genders with their responsibilities in society.

Works Cited

Bloom, Harold. The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages. New York, Harcourt Brace, 1994.

Donovan, Josephine C, and Josephine Donovan. Feminist Literary Criticism: Explorations in Theory. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2015.

Gilmore, Stephanie. Feminist Coalitions: Historical Perspectives on Second-Wave Feminism in the United States. Urbana, University of Illinois Press, 2008.

Hooks, Bell. Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. London, Pluto Press, 2000. Print.

Moretti, Franco. Distant Reading. London: Verso, 2013.

Ortiz, Joseph M. Shakespeare and the Culture of Romanticism. Florence, Taylor and Francis, 2013.

Shakespeare, William, and Roma Gill. Hamlet. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002.

Tandon, Neeru. Feminism: A Paradigm Shift. New Delhi, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, 2008.