Shakespeare Gender Roles

During the Renaissance, in William Shakespeare’s productions of his plays the women roles were portrayed by young men dressing in female attire since women were not allowed to act in theater. Women in early modern England even dressed in male attire for a various of reasons. There were those who opposed cross-dressing in the time period and it was seen as something monstrous and unnatural (Source). At the time, to determine one’s social class and gender was told through their outward appearance, almost like a semiotic system. There were even sumptuary laws in place that dictated what colors and material can be worn by which social class one belonged to. For instance, silks in the color of purple or cloth of gold were usually worn by those of the royal family, …show more content…
According to Robert Kimbrough in “Androgyny Seen Through Shakespeare’s Disguise,” he writes, “[by] refer[ing] vividly and amusedly to male characteristics, organic as well as behavioral...reinforce[s] the dramatic illusion that they are so much women that they must make the conscious efforts to ‘turn ro men’” (21). She is stepping into the shoes of a man as well as the mindset of how they walk, talk, act, and think. She must not only look the part but she must embody the masculine characteristics. By adding the commentary on male characteristics, its Shakespeare’s way of noting the differences between men and women. By disguising herself as Balthasar it allows Portia to enter the courtroom since women were not allowed to practice law at the time. She enters court well prepared with knowledge of the Venetian law when she says, “Yet in such rule that the Venetian law / Cannot impugn you as you do proceed” (MV IV.i. 175-176). She tries to get Shylock to be merciful but he continues to insist on revenge and justice. Just when Shylock is about to collect his bond, Portia or Balthasar finds a