Women in disguise in Merchant of Venice
One of the main concerns of many Shakespearean scholars is that of the role of women and issues of gender which are explored in a number of his texts. Numerous questions are raised when exploring Shakespeare’s heroines, for example: why has he chosen a female protagonist, given that he is writing in a predominantly patriarchal time period; how does he manipulate Renaissance gender constructions in order to convey his message; how is the patriarchal attitude explored through the women in the text; and many more. Using The Merchant of Venice as an example, this essay will attempt to explore Shakespeare’s representations of the characters of Portia, Nerissa and Jessica. It will seek to examine their role in the text, as well as explore representations of gender and cross-dressing.
It is important for the audience to remember that at this time a female monarch was in power. It was therefore less of a taboo to represent strong female figures in literature than previously. The queen can be seen as one of the most influential literary characters at the time and nothing could be seen to threaten her power. Issues concerning succession to the throne were at the forefront of people’s minds. It was therefore inevitable that Shakespeare would create a character that would challenge the social norms which had been constructed by this society.
The audience’s first introduction to the character to the character of Portia is through the eyes of Bassanio. Immediately the female protagonist is located in the male gaze. This technique not only emphasises the patriarchal environment in which Shakespeare is writing, but also the audience behind a male lense when we first view her. Shakespeare’s use of Petrarchan imagery emphasises the placement of the heroine on a pedestal. Bassanio says that “her sunny locks hang on her temples like a golden fleece, which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos’ strand, and many Jason’s come in quest of her.” (1:1 lines 169
It is important for the audience to remember that at this time a female monarch was in power. It was therefore less of a taboo to represent strong female figures in literature than previously. The queen can be seen as one of the most influential literary characters at the time and nothing could be seen to threaten her power. Issues concerning succession to the throne were at the forefront of people’s minds. It was therefore inevitable that Shakespeare would create a character that would challenge the social norms which had been constructed by this society.
The audience’s first introduction to the character to the character of Portia is through the eyes of Bassanio. Immediately the female protagonist is located in the male gaze. This technique not only emphasises the patriarchal environment in which Shakespeare is writing, but also the audience behind a male lense when we first view her. Shakespeare’s use of Petrarchan imagery emphasises the placement of the heroine on a pedestal. Bassanio says that “her sunny locks hang on her temples like a golden fleece, which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos’ strand, and many Jason’s come in quest of her.” (1:1 lines 169
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