“GENDER ROLES IN THE RENAISSANCE: ROLE PLAYING IN SHAKESPEARE’S AS YOU LIKE IT”

Abstract

Abstract

Shakespeare has remained popular over a number of centuries, his plays managing to retain a universal appeal and each generation taking a different understanding to apply to their own lives. Due to social and cultural changes, various interpretations have been made since the plays were first written. One of them that has been analyzed and re-interpreted is that of gender. The beginning of an understanding of gender during Shakespeare’s life is the patriarchal household which referred to the power of the father over all members of his household-not only his wife and children, but servants or apprentices in the sixteenth century. ‘As You Like It’ is one of Shakespeare's most highly regarded comedies and most frequently performed works which is