KNOWLEDGE – International Journal Vol.31.6 June, 2019 1717 FATHER FIGURES IN SELECTED SHAKESPEARE’S WORKS Fatbardha Doko State University of Tetova, Tetovo, R. of North Macedonia, fatbardhadoko@gmail.com Abstract: Shakespeare and his works are widely analyzed and studied, however, you can always find something to discuss about or study, since Shakespeare’s works are always challenging and attractive. This time my focus is on the father figures that appear in some of his greatest works, like King Hamlet and Polonius in Hamlet, Barbantio in Othello, Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, King Lear and Gloucester in King Lear, Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, etc. Actually, this paper aims to give an insight and compare the major characters as fathers. It covers an analysis of father-son relationship and the father-daughter relationship, fathers’ attitude towards their children, the influence they have in the life of their children, their love and authority, expectations, their image in the eyes of their children and so on. Each and every one of these characters has a specific relationship with their child; they are all authoritative, some more and some less, they are proud and they influence their children’s lives by accepting their decisions or not, by requesting very important and delicate tasks from them, by deciding themselves for their children, etc. Focusing on the issue of authority, power and ownership, the article aims at showing how stereotypical social and gender roles resonate with various political and social contexts of power. However, the paper will also analyze the dreams, duty, as well as defiance children have, show or express towards their fathers. A special importance in this paper is given to the relationships between fathers and daughters, having in mind the social position women had at that time, the role they had in their families etc. In these relationships, it is clearly that there is more likely to find a tyrannical possessiveness in excess of normal parental affection in the father's behaviour—or, as the case may be, a capriciousness, coldness, or disloyalty unwarranted by the daughter's exemplary conduct, which in fact results in the creation or not of a father figure in these plays. Namely, it is clear that Shakespeare depicted the struggle and entanglement of a father character who realizes the lonely emptiness he has to face after fulfilling the happiness of his child. As I mentioned, no matter the uniqueness of these relationships that are presented between parents and children, we can find some similarities as well, as many of the plays depict the same situations but with similar circumstances. Consequently, I hope that this paper will be just a small contribution in the field of literature and that future scholars will find it useful in their further studies and analysis of Shakespeare’s works, which is really a never -ending ‘struggle.’ Keywords: Shakespeare, father, children, relationship INTRODUCTION Early modern England was a highly patriarchal and male dominated society, where the father controlled his wife and children, inheritance went through the male line, and men, in general, held a disproportionate amount of power. To be considered a real man in Shakespeare’s England, a male had to act in a specific manner. He had to demonstrate both physical and moral strength, as well as a sense of duty. He also became the protector of the family name and the family’s reputation. In fact, the era Shakespeare lived in, the Elizabethan Era, was probably not the best time to be a “good” father, at least by today’s standards. In the 1500 and 1600s the paterfamilias dictated everything from the family’s coat of arms to its holiday travel plans. As far as marriage is concerned, fathers had financial interest in their daughters' marriages, so it's understandable that his dads get bad-tempered when their daughters try to marry against their wishes, and for sure, it was the father’s call. In short, only complete submis sion and respect was tolerated from children. So, as far as Shakespeare’s literary works are concerned, in tragedies and comedies alike, he shows us that fatherhood came with a lot of responsibilities, including selling your daughter to the highest bidder. Shakespeare not only nailed the expectation for obedience in his works; staying true to universal teenage rebellion, most children in his plays are not on board with their controlling fathers’ ridiculous demands. Many of the fathers in Shakespeare’s plays are old, widowed, feel deserted, and respond with anger to their children’s actions, leaving them alone to deal with their old age. ‘Shakespeare tries to overturn the patriarchal frame while casting his characters in the non- governmental territory, in which Shakespeare depicts the struggle and entanglement of a father character who