Power Of Cross-Dressing In Twelfth Night And As You Like It
The Power of Cross-Dressing
Kyle Nagy
120949480
03/12/2014
Dr. Bryce-Wunder
EN-233
The nature of gender consists of both physical and psychological elements that have come together to help shape human history and culture. Society has come to associate gender with specific cultural norms to adhere to. In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and As You Like It, the performance of gender is examined by the characters who frequently change their identity in order to explore paths not available to females because of cultural restrictions. The change of clothes causes the characters to change their attitudes as well, but their personality always bleeds through the transformation, leading to strange interactions. As You Like It is a story …show more content…
In the first act Touchstone comments about how wrestling is not a sport suited for ladies, where Rosalind replies “But is there any else longs to see this broken music in his sides? Is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin?” (1.2.118). While Rosalind will go on to transform herself into Ganymede by disguising herself as a man, she already defies her expected role by showing interest in the violent sport. Rosalind and Celia leave the Duke and his cruelty behind, but before they go they decide to don the appearance of men. Rosalind says “Were it not better, because that I am more than common tall, that I did suit me all points like a man? A gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh, A boar spear in my hand; and in my heart Lie there what hidden woman 's fear there will”(1.3.108-16). This passage expresses the importance of performing the gender in which one finds themselves. Rosalind comments that because she is taller than average, she could simply strap on a few weapons and become a man. The ease in which she believes she can assume the identity of Ganymede stresses how superficial the differences between genders truly are. Rosalind also mentions the part about fear hiding in a woman’s heart, which leads the reader to believe that she is more than just acting to fit in societies norms, she actually believes them to some degree. She continues in her speech saying “As many other mannish cowards have that do outface it with their semblances”. This final bit reaffirms that it is not only females who must perform their roles, but men also must show bravery even if they have none. Much later Rosalind finds herself in the forest of Ardenne after a long journey and she again comments on the roles of men and women. “I could find in my heart to disgrace my man 's apparel, and to cry like a woman; but I
Kyle Nagy
120949480
03/12/2014
Dr. Bryce-Wunder
EN-233
The nature of gender consists of both physical and psychological elements that have come together to help shape human history and culture. Society has come to associate gender with specific cultural norms to adhere to. In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and As You Like It, the performance of gender is examined by the characters who frequently change their identity in order to explore paths not available to females because of cultural restrictions. The change of clothes causes the characters to change their attitudes as well, but their personality always bleeds through the transformation, leading to strange interactions. As You Like It is a story …show more content…
In the first act Touchstone comments about how wrestling is not a sport suited for ladies, where Rosalind replies “But is there any else longs to see this broken music in his sides? Is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking? Shall we see this wrestling, cousin?” (1.2.118). While Rosalind will go on to transform herself into Ganymede by disguising herself as a man, she already defies her expected role by showing interest in the violent sport. Rosalind and Celia leave the Duke and his cruelty behind, but before they go they decide to don the appearance of men. Rosalind says “Were it not better, because that I am more than common tall, that I did suit me all points like a man? A gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh, A boar spear in my hand; and in my heart Lie there what hidden woman 's fear there will”(1.3.108-16). This passage expresses the importance of performing the gender in which one finds themselves. Rosalind comments that because she is taller than average, she could simply strap on a few weapons and become a man. The ease in which she believes she can assume the identity of Ganymede stresses how superficial the differences between genders truly are. Rosalind also mentions the part about fear hiding in a woman’s heart, which leads the reader to believe that she is more than just acting to fit in societies norms, she actually believes them to some degree. She continues in her speech saying “As many other mannish cowards have that do outface it with their semblances”. This final bit reaffirms that it is not only females who must perform their roles, but men also must show bravery even if they have none. Much later Rosalind finds herself in the forest of Ardenne after a long journey and she again comments on the roles of men and women. “I could find in my heart to disgrace my man 's apparel, and to cry like a woman; but I