The Tale of Genji by Lady Muraski - Essay Example

The theme of love based on gender will be examined in this paper. This story revolves around Hikaru Genji, the son of an Emperor. Genji is stripped of his royal stature and force to live like a commoner. So throughout the story Genji has a royal demeanor, but forced to live as common Imperial soldier. Genji is handsome. He also has a very powerful persona. In one passage of the book, Genji sees a naked woman in a window. He enters the bedroom and engages in relations with the woman. The woman did not protest since he had such a powerful presence.

Genji comes into contact with many women. Genji professes love for different types of women. From a princess, concubine, and even wife Genji loves them all in their own way. He has been with a princess, attendant, and even some women named captain after their father’s rank. Since there is a multitude of women, only the most important women loved by Genji will be examined here. In this novel, women are seen as possessions or prizes. Even his own daughters or mother must be provided support by a man.

Lady Kiritsubo, Genji’s mother, was supported by the Emperor. However since her father was dead, she suffered at the hands of the other concubines. This caused her to die a premature death. Due to the other concubines’ jealousy, Genji was made a commoner through politics. Although Genji does not love Lady Kokiden, his mother’s enemy, she does show how a woman can achieve power through a man’s love. After Genji’s father died, Lady Kokiden’s son achieves power as emperor. Through her son’s love and respect, Lady Kokiden has the power to persuade the emperor.

This is one way a woman can come to power. The power of an emperor’s mother was always considered the highest a woman could achieve. Genji does not care if he sleeps with another man’s wife or concubine. One of Genji’s great loves is his own stepmother, Lady Fujisubo. Lady Fujisubo was the previous emperor’s daughter. Thus she