How did Shakespeares' view on women in his plays differ from how they were viewed in the 16th century?

Question

Information on how they were viewed in the 16th century and how they were viewed in Shakespeares' plays.

Answer 1

Even as a Shakespeare aficionada, I should know this but I don't. I'm not sure what his views on women were but women were sometimes portrayed as the "chatty Cathy" types who should keep their mouths shut. In fact, women were supposed to keep their mouths shut in Shakespearean society as they were considered second class citizens with the exception of nobility, aristocracy, and royalty.