GENDER ROLES THROUGH THE LENS OF PROVERBS: “A WOMAN’S TONGUE IS A WOMAN'S SWORD” IN SHAKESPEARE’S TRAGEDIES

Аннотация

This article studies the manifestation of traditional gender stereotypes through proverbs in William Shakespeare’s major tragedies, with particular focus on the English proverb “A woman’s tongue is a woman’s sword.” Through textual analysis of “Hamlet”, “Othello”, “King Lear”, and “Macbeth”, this research explores how Shakespeare both reinforces and subverts conventional gender roles related to female speech and agency. The analysis reveals that while Shakespeare’s female characters often embody the proverb’s implications—using verbal prowess as their primary form of power—they simultaneously transcend traditional boundaries, demonstrating complex agency that challenges patriarchal expectations. The findings contribute to understanding how literary works both reflect and reshape cultural attitudes toward gender and communication.