The Tempest & The Merchant of Venice
In Shakespeare's The Tempest and The Merchant of Venice, there are female characters that inhabit Shakespeare's comedic world who seem to enjoy a greater degree of autonomy and personal power than one would expect in a patriarchal society. In The Tempest, Shakespeare depicts Miranda with the ideal constructions of womanhood - the lonely daughter, the beautiful virgin. But, a closer look at the text reveals that Shakespeare had a subtle, but clear message to send through this literary piece. By allowing Miranda to defy the patriarchal traditions of her day in the way she speaks to her father, in her defiance of him, and in her impulsive decision to marry Ferdinand, Shakespeare develops his message of disdain with the patriarchal norms of his time. In The Merchant of Venice, there are two father-daughter relationships that play an important role in the father-daughter theme of the play. The strained relationship between Shylock and Jessica, and the relationship between Portia and her deceased father, further illustrate the demanding and unwavering standards set by the patriarchal society of Shakespeare's time. However, the strict ruling decreed by the patriarchs of the female characters -Miranda, Portia and Jessica - in both, T
When Miranda meets Ferdinand again, she defies her father by revealing her name to: Ferdinand: . he Tempest and The Merchant of Venice, result in different reactions from Shakespeare's female characters. Jessica is seen by Shylock as property to be controlled and yet he never truly has control over her. No women of this time period can live independently of the patriarchal rule of this time. By giving his female characters these different responses to their father, Shakespeare does not portray women as a single entity that responds in the same way; instead he gives them dimension in this realistic portrayal. Even though Miranda's father has control over the island and the tempest, Miranda does not hold back what she thinks as she asks him to stop the tempest. Portia outwardly submits to the wishes of her father, but, she employs her cunning skill to outwit the controlling wishes of her father. Miranda asks him to marry her and Ferdinand tells her, "Ay, with a heart as wiling / As bondage e'er of freedom. Shakespeare develops a female character that behaves contrary to the social norms of his time. in converting [a] Jew to Christia[nity] [Lorenzo] raises the price of pork" (3. To be your fellow You may deny me; but I'll be your servant, Whether you will or not" (3.
Common topics in this essay:
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Shylock Jessica,
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Portia Jessica,
Ferdinand Miranda's,
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Ferdinand Miranda,
Merchant Venice,
Jessica Miranda,
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miranda's actions,
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shylock jessica,
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/ nor refuse,
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shakespeare creates female,
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Acceptance Essays
