The Corruption Of Female Characters In Titus Andronicus

Plays are canvas for playwright to share their varying views on the world and opinions on conflicting issues through characters, plots, and setting. Because ideas tend to change over the years, plays written at different points in a playwright’s career may show variation from the ones before. In Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare portrays women as puppets of men regardless of women’s age, ethnicity, gender, and Shakespeare continues to incorporate the issue of women’s social position in male-dominated society and their sexuality to attract men in his later plays. In Measure for Measure, male characters display sexual desires toward women, but they are initially attracted towards intelligence and innocence rather than appearance or body parts. However, women like Isabella still remain to be objectified, as they are viewed by men as properties or prizes to be won. …show more content…
Towards the end of the fiery exchange of words, Angelo speaks to himself that, “she speaks, and 'tis / Such sense, that my sense breeds with it” (2.2.143). He acknowledges that Isabella is educated and well-spoken by expressing his attraction to her “sense,” which refers to her extremely outspoken and witty nature. Unlike other women whom he encountered, Isabella can challenge him through her words in a feisty and ferocious manner. Instead of being offended by her disobedient attitude, he speculates that he “loves her” because of “his desire to hear her speak again” (2.2.170). The virtue that Isabella projects outward verbally is embodied in the words that flow out between her lips instead of just physical characteristics of a woman’s body. However, Isabella doesn’t realize that her use of language is empowering and seductive, and other men don’t seem to identify her by her