Shakespere and Feminism

  I love a happy ending; a happy ever after is a perfect end to any good story. So why did an all women acting troop ruin the finale of Shakespeare's "the Taming of the Shrew"? I was already disappointed when I was told that it would be all girls performing (how very un-Shakespeare like), but what was even more disappointing was the actresses portrayal of the beloved comedy. By the end of the show I was not left filled with feelings of giddiness and love, but instead felt pity for poor Kate.

  I had fallen into their trap. This is exactly how they wanted me to feel. See the actresses were trying to make a point about how men are regarded as superior to women and that women must do something about it. Well haven't we? It is called the feminist movement... but what happens when feminism is taken too far?

  According to Merriam-Webster feminism is defined as "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes". Equality here is the key word. I believe that it is important that women are treated equally to men and given the respect they deserve. After reading and watching the documentary Half the Sky my eyes were opened to just how badly women are treated around the world, and I realize that I am incredibly blessed to live somewhere such as the United States. But what about when women take equality too far? Have we reached a point in the feminist movement that we want more than equality, and do we as women now view ourselves as elevated about men? 

   I wrote before about how we are all different parts of the body, and without one part the body won't function. The same applies to men and women. We have different roles in the world, but we are equal. No role is greater than the other in God's eyes; it is the world that emphasizes one or the other as being better. And I challenge everyone (no matter boy or girl) to fix this. 

  I by no means think that women should stop striving to be the best that they can be. In fact girls are stepping up in this world and the numbers of women in business has significantly increased (which is awesome.) But I don't think we should see ourselves as better than men. And boys, it isn't entirely the girls' fault that women are beginning to rise above. We have worked hard to be where we are, and it is your job to step up to the plate as well. Just imagine if both men and women were really equals in this world; if everyone worked towards reaching their full potential. It is probably too much to ask for, but oh just think of the ways the world would be changed for the better.

"My tongue will tell the anger of my heart, or  else my heart concealing it will break" -The Taming of the Shrew
  
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." -Galatians 3:28

"The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him... Then the Lord God made a women from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man." -Genesis 2:18, 22

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: