Twelfth Night
Today, women struggle less in regards to their rights and freedom. In the play Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare shows the different ways that women struggle more than men. In Twelfth Night, women struggle more than men through their independence, work and education, and power.
In Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare proves that women struggle through their independence. Women were believed to be incapable of taking care of themselves. They were believed to be weak and emotional, which is exaggerated through the character Olivia, a rich countess of Illyria. “The element itself, till seven years’ heat, Shall not behold her face at ample view; But like a cloistress, she veiled walk/And water once a day her chamber round/With eye-offending …show more content…
Women were known as weak and emotional, and therefore could not make decisions or work. The only exception in the play is Olivia because of her wealth. Though Olivia has power, Duke Orsino has more power because he is a high class man. If he were to marry Olivia, she would lose most of her power. “Her sweet perfections with one self king!” (I.i.39.) While Viola is disguised as a man, she has freedom. She works for the Duke, Olivia, falls in love with her and she is treated as an equal. At the end of the play, Viola reveals herself and marries Duke Orsino, and she is silenced for the rest of the play. William Shakespeare silenced Viola to show that because she is now married, Duke Orsino rules her, which now limits her freedom. Another way William Shakespeare shows that women are powerless is through a conversation with Olivia, Viola (Cesario) and Maria. Olivia has power over Viola and Maria, but since Viola is disguised as Cesario, she has power over Maria. On behalf of Olivia, Maria tells Cesario to leave. “Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.” (I.v.194) Since Viola is disguised as Cesario, she has power to talk back and defend herself. “No, good swabber; I am to hull here a little longer.”
Today, women struggle less in regards to their rights and freedom. In the play Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare shows the different ways that women struggle more than men. In Twelfth Night, women struggle more than men through their independence, work and education, and power.
In Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare proves that women struggle through their independence. Women were believed to be incapable of taking care of themselves. They were believed to be weak and emotional, which is exaggerated through the character Olivia, a rich countess of Illyria. “The element itself, till seven years’ heat, Shall not behold her face at ample view; But like a cloistress, she veiled walk/And water once a day her chamber round/With eye-offending …show more content…
Women were known as weak and emotional, and therefore could not make decisions or work. The only exception in the play is Olivia because of her wealth. Though Olivia has power, Duke Orsino has more power because he is a high class man. If he were to marry Olivia, she would lose most of her power. “Her sweet perfections with one self king!” (I.i.39.) While Viola is disguised as a man, she has freedom. She works for the Duke, Olivia, falls in love with her and she is treated as an equal. At the end of the play, Viola reveals herself and marries Duke Orsino, and she is silenced for the rest of the play. William Shakespeare silenced Viola to show that because she is now married, Duke Orsino rules her, which now limits her freedom. Another way William Shakespeare shows that women are powerless is through a conversation with Olivia, Viola (Cesario) and Maria. Olivia has power over Viola and Maria, but since Viola is disguised as Cesario, she has power over Maria. On behalf of Olivia, Maria tells Cesario to leave. “Will you hoist sail, sir? Here lies your way.” (I.v.194) Since Viola is disguised as Cesario, she has power to talk back and defend herself. “No, good swabber; I am to hull here a little longer.”