A Lifelong Masquerade
Vicky Przybysz
Ms. Innes-Murphy
ENG 1DA
15 May 2014
A Lifelong Masquerade: The Role of Women in The Merchant of Venice
In William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the expectation and role of women to be passive is highlighted in the way they are regarded by men as weak, and the juxtaposing irony of their power. Since the beginning of time, women have assumed the natural role of caregiver and mother, and women in the Elizabethan era were no exception. Elizabethan women were subservient to men; they were taught that men were their superiors. They relied on men to provide all of their daily needs, so they listened and agreed to everything that they had to say. Rich heiress Portia, on the other hand, does not adhere to those expectations and rules. Through irony and pun, Portia proves herself to be an intelligent and witty woman who is not afraid to challenge traditional social norm. She is a heroine with refreshing initiative that displays great knowledge of how to use her rare intelligence to her advantage, to help the people that she cares about and to gain power. Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, also shows the traits of a strong woman who is willing to leave her avaricious father behind for a new life as an accepted Christian rather than a hated Jew. Shakespeare contradicts the common role of women in the 17th century by making Portia, among other women, instrumental in the play’s development due to her intelligence, confidence and silent power. Portia, Jessica and Nerissa all juxtapose the traits of most Elizabethan women; they are witty, powerful and zealous rather than obedient, silent and motivated by blinding love.
Portia shows dominance from the moment she is introduced in the play, which juxtaposes the passiveness of women in the Elizabethan era. She respects herself and knows that she is smart; she believes that men are her equals rather than her superiors. She is an educated woman who looks for a husband that values meaningful things, such as
Ms. Innes-Murphy
ENG 1DA
15 May 2014
A Lifelong Masquerade: The Role of Women in The Merchant of Venice
In William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the expectation and role of women to be passive is highlighted in the way they are regarded by men as weak, and the juxtaposing irony of their power. Since the beginning of time, women have assumed the natural role of caregiver and mother, and women in the Elizabethan era were no exception. Elizabethan women were subservient to men; they were taught that men were their superiors. They relied on men to provide all of their daily needs, so they listened and agreed to everything that they had to say. Rich heiress Portia, on the other hand, does not adhere to those expectations and rules. Through irony and pun, Portia proves herself to be an intelligent and witty woman who is not afraid to challenge traditional social norm. She is a heroine with refreshing initiative that displays great knowledge of how to use her rare intelligence to her advantage, to help the people that she cares about and to gain power. Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, also shows the traits of a strong woman who is willing to leave her avaricious father behind for a new life as an accepted Christian rather than a hated Jew. Shakespeare contradicts the common role of women in the 17th century by making Portia, among other women, instrumental in the play’s development due to her intelligence, confidence and silent power. Portia, Jessica and Nerissa all juxtapose the traits of most Elizabethan women; they are witty, powerful and zealous rather than obedient, silent and motivated by blinding love.
Portia shows dominance from the moment she is introduced in the play, which juxtaposes the passiveness of women in the Elizabethan era. She respects herself and knows that she is smart; she believes that men are her equals rather than her superiors. She is an educated woman who looks for a husband that values meaningful things, such as
Cited: Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. New York: Folger Shakespeare Library, 2010. Print.