Shakespeares Pericles - Essay Example

The significance of the fathers being so involved in their daughters’ sexuality is their belief in their primary roles in protecting the latter as either their property or family and in ascertaining patriarchy through the absolute power of men over females’ sexuality. These fathers both believe that they have the primary role of protecting their daughter because they are either property or family. Upon discovering the answer to the riddle, Pericles expresses his disgust for Antiochus. He tells Antiochus: “That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate” (Shakespeare 1609, 1.1:129). The gate represents the door to a house, which signifies property, and for Antiochus, he takes care of his daughter’s sexuality because he thinks she is his sole property, where only he can open the gate to her sexuality.

As for Simonides, he is concerned of her daughter’s sexuality because he protects her as his family. He asks Pericles how he feels about his daughter and tells him something about what a husband-wife relationship is: “Ay, so well, that you must be her master,/And she will be your scholar: therefore look to it” (Shakespeare 1609, 2.5:1054-1055). His idea of marriage shows how he intends to pass control over his daughter from one decent man to another; if Thaisa learns from Simonides as her master and father, she will learn and obey Pericles too as her new master, so Pericles must be worthy of her.

These fathers’ views of their daughters affect their influence on their sexualities. Apart from these perceived property/family roles, these fathers practice patriarchy through absolutely controlling their daughters’ sexuality. Antiochus stands for the typical “macho” man who believes in the male ownership of women’s bodies. He does not want anyone to enjoy his daughter’s favours but him. Pericles describes his sinful sexual deed: “You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings;/Who, finger'd to make man his lawful music” (Shakespeare 1609, 1.1:130-131).

Antiochus believes that as a man, he can play his daughter anyhow he likes. Simonides also shows patriarchal attitudes and behaviours in controlling his daughter’s sexuality. He tells Thaisa: “I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection” (Shakespeare 1609, 2.5:1095). For him, influencing sexuality is a form of control, one of the ways that men restrain the activities of women. The significance of these fathers’ control over their daughters’ sexuality reflects their personal and social views on possession and power.

The importance of fathers’ control over their daughters’ sexuality indicates their desire for power and their different perceptions of love or possession. Antiochus indicates an immoral, sexual sense of possession over his daughter’s body, which also maintains his power over her life. Simonides has a more benevolent patriarchal attitude, although like Antiochus, he believes that he has more power over her daughter’s life than her, which includes making decisions regarding her marriage.

They manifest patriarchal beliefs that intend to shape women’s most private decisions over their bodies and lives. Part 2: Response to Ibanez I agree with Ibanez that patience is related to restoration because it takes patience to restore society and individuals alike. I would like to expand on restoring societies, because as in the case of Antiochus, Pericles did not have to kill him for his sin of incest. The gods took care of Antiochus and his daughter, showing that justice prevails by punishing the sins of humanity and putting balance back by affirming and rewarding what is good.

When patient, society can be