Femininity and Shakespeare

I think that Shakespeare is simply accurately depicting the role of women in society at this time. He upholds cultural traditions and religious practices. What I can commend him for is giving the women on this play distinct personalities. Both women take a forceful role in getting what they think they want. He could have made them passive and docile like the women of this time were supposed to be but instead he gave them very strong personalities. In this was, I feel that he was actually ahead of his time. He was definitely referencing a type of woman that wouldn't necessarily be the "ideal". I really like the fact that Hermia is even given the opportunity to disobey her father and I think it says a lot about Shakespeare's views on women that he allows her to be that out spoken.