Patriarchy, defined as a social organization wherein men demonstrate superiority

(Collin’s dictionary, n.d.), has been a prevalent issue in today’s modern times. In the ancient era,

patriarchy was a concept enforced to most civilizations. Males dominated in governing nations

where they exercised their undisputable power and authority. However, as societies become

more accepting to change due to globalization and the trends it bear, ideas regarding equal

opportunity and egalitarianism continue to rise.

In the Philippine context, the patriarchal culture was introduced by the Spaniards and was

practiced in their regime which, as it lasted for more than three centuries, was undeniably

ingrained to the citizens. The roles of women in this period were limited to taking care of their

families, teaching their children academic lessons and proper behaviour, performing household

chores, giving pleasure to their husbands, and adhering to orders established by the patriarch.

Nevertheless, women in the current generation continue to assert their rights and modify

the conception that they are submissive to men by upholding their value in many aspects of life

(Anonuevo, 2000). It can be vividly recognized how Filipino females today strive for equality by

debunking stereotypes. “Masculine” jobs are not exclusive to males anymore, as validated by the

increasing number of female presidents, engineers, doctors, soldiers, CEOs, and the like.

Similar to the Philippines, most Asian countries experienced this system as well. In India,

women have been neglected the opportunities for growth (Nirola, 2017). They are still being

regarded as inferior to men, while being victims of discrimination, educational deprivation,

violence (murder, rape, torture), and exploitation.

In the Sanskrit play by the Indian writer Kalidasa entitled “The Recognition of

Shakuntala”, a patriarchal society was illustrated in two different spaces: political and inhabited.
This literary paper aims to cite instances that demonstrate and explain how the society in the text

is patriarchal in character, and how the other gender tries to subvert this system.

In the inhabited space, the supremacy of males over females was shown in multiple

occurrences. A concrete example of this is when the King secretly observes Shakuntala from

behind the tree (p.71, 1.75) as she was being repeatedly touched and bugged by a bee (p. 77,

1.103). The presence of the insect near Shakuntala made the King envious as he wished it was

him who “pollenated” the woman (p. 77, 1.102). This event justifies how men see women and

their bodies as desirable objects which are only meant to give them pleasure (p. 73, 1.90).

The value of virgins is also doubted, as the King proclaims that they fear of yielding their

bodies despite yearning for gratification and bliss (p. 155, 3.112). This profession strongly

dehumanizes the virgin and objectifies her body’s purity, which is an evidence of patriarchy.

As the King continuously and blatantly expresses his passion, which can be considered more

as lust towards Shakuntala (p. 145, 3.55), he becomes more empowered and satisfied (p. 141,

3.36). Women, on the other hand, just conform to these judgments (p. 75, 1.92). They try to

evaluate and weigh their emotions, but usually they just correspond with what the society

discerns as correct even if it diminishes their perceived value and self-worth (p.139, 3.35). This

comparison suggests how males gain more supremacy with the devaluation of others. Their ego

skyrockets while another entity is suffering from the lack of freedom.

It can be observed that even in the hermitage where Shakuntala belongs, appreciation for

women is based solely on their physical beauty, purity, and fertility. Even if Shakuntala is more

familiar and rightful to the space, she still succumbs to the King (p. 145, 3.57) who has no lawful

power to exercise over her community.

 Similarly, the analysis of the events in the political space showed more evidences of

patriarchy in the text. The most striking incident was when Shakuntala presented herself as the

King's wife. As the King have forgotten who she is brought by the curse in their relationship (p.

229, 5.41), she has been discredited by him (p. 243, 5.114) because she spoke with power and

asserted that she was right . Shakuntala expressed her grave emotions while proving the falsity of

the King’s statements (p. 245, 5.117). This is only the time wherein Shakuntala recognized that

she must not just harmonize with deceit since she knows what is real, yet she just got rejected.

Once again, women were denied of their right to assert. In patriarchal communities, women were

only allowed to follow and agree to what was dictated by those who give out rules, who are

usually men of great power.

However, Shakuntala realized that it is no use to try to defend the truth (p. 241, 5.100) since

the King is, and will always be, correct (p. 247, 5.122-5.124). This illustrates how females just

succumb to the powerful males in most (if not all) situations even if they were of truth and

honor. Otherwise, they will be called unfavourable names and be referred to as either liars or

gold-diggers (p. 243, 5.113). These passages make it seem like there is no chance for women to

freely express their thoughts and air out their emotions if it does not conform to the rules.

Women were meant to stay in the shadow, obey rules that marginalize their rights, and submit to

the requests of authoritative men who show no respect for them and their worth of being a

woman.

The concept of patriarchy is widely evident in both spaces but is more enforced in the palace

because of the presence of rules and customary formality (p. 219, 5.3). This made it more

challenging for Shakuntala to defend herself and her opinion to the King since she is seen as an

outsider in the palace, thus making her more inferior.

 As mentioned, Shakuntala tried to subvert this system by defending the truth she knows (p.

245, 5.117) and standing by what she perceives is right but it seems that there is absolutely no

chance of changing how men rule the world because of the constructs they already have. The

domination of males above all is difficult, if not impossible, to suppress because the system does

not allow for change. Once a woman attempts to make an effort to be heard, she is automatically

disregarded. No consideration will be given to the statements she ascertains, and she will be

valued lowly. This will affect the way a woman sees herself – she will doubt her capacities the

way society apprehends her, she will shape her mind and influence her actions according to the

rules dictated upon her, and she will lose love for herself. Her value will be dependent to the men

who show appreciation for her physique, rather than what’s deep inside. She will be an imagery

reflection of the patriarch, only recognizable when it is clear (p. 357, 7.185).

__________________________________

References

Anonuevo, C. A. Q. (2000). An overview of the gender situation in the Philippines. Friedrich-

Ebert-Stiftung Philippine Office.

Nirola, B. (2017). Patriarchy And The Status Of Women In The Society. Youth Ki Awaaz.

Retrieved from https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2017/12/role-of-patriarchy-and-status-of-

women-in-indian-society

Patriarchy. (n.d.). In Collin’s Dictionary. Retrieved from

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/patriarchy

Vasudeva, S. (2006). The recognition of Shakuntala (Kalidasa). New York, NY: New York

University Press.