Shakespeare

Since Shakespeare's works take place centuries ago in the past, women had their set roles in society which was perfectly acceptable. If read from a feminist point of view, the first act right from the beginning can be seen as feminist. King Lear has his land which needs to be divided up for his daughters, which there are three of, but each had to publicly express their love for him in order to get a piece of the land. The youngest of the three did not want to do so, and the king became upset and exiled her and she received nothing. This may not seem so wrong, a father just wants to know his daughters love him and want everyone else to know how much they love him, right? If I was the youngest daughter, I would not have been against doing that, but I could understand why she would have nothing to say. A feminist could read this act as women needing to serve and show how much man (their father) make them who they are, and how much they love and are devoted to him just so that they can have something of their own, which their husband needs to almost co-sign for them. Their fathers land, rightfully belongs to them regardless if they publicly show how much they love him, because they are the heirs of his rule-- whether or not they do what he asks to please him should not make a difference.