Feminism and Dowry

While reading William Shakespeare’s King Lear, the various plot lines taking place create multiple layers in which to uncover theories we’ve recently come to know throughout the semester. But it’s the feminist perspective that is most prevalent in the story line, for it is the first interaction between the characters which sets all other events into place. For King Lear’s asking his daughters who loves him most, is so double edged that it results in his ultimate decline. His daughters themselves are unique and symbolize traits that aren’t very appealing. Between Gonerill’s and Regan’s plotting and ultimate abandonment of there father puts into place a kind of “evilness” associated with women. Although feminist theory is certainly visible there is also a kind of class struggle of sex and station within the play. As seen with Lear setting a dowry upon his daughter’s. There is the sense that these marriages aren’t about love but about alliance.