Merchant of Venice: The Effects of Cross-Dressing Essay -- Masculinity

Shakespe ar challenges the supposal that workforce hold more role than women do. He subtly hints that the power men posses is superficial when Jessica dresses like a boy, and later on when Nerissa and Portia disguise themselves as men in The Merchant of Venice. Masculinity is just a costume that stub be donned or doffed at volition therefore its associated power can be removed and redistributed as well. Shakespe ar emphasizes gender barriers, all the same also challenges them to show their inconsistencies. In court, the Duke articulates the common assumption that men represent the educated and professional members of society. As he anticipates the reaching of the young learned doctor (IV i143), he asks, Where is he? (IVi 144). The Duke has not yet read the letter from Bellario therefore he infers that the doctor is a slice based on a preconceived prejudice that doctors usually are male. Nerissa and Portia are well aware of this discrimination, so they take on the roles of m en rather than disguise themselves as other women when they appear in court. They come after in fooling everyone at Shylocks trial that they are men, not women, thus dispute the gender barrier that presumes women are not sophisticated enough to be experts. Gratiano suggests that no barriers lie between the sexes when he refers to Jessica as a gentle (II vi 51). He puns on the word, which can mean a refined lady or a gentleman, implying that the cardinal can be indistinguishable. In the final scene when Portia questions Bassanio about his ring, he declares, No woman had it, but a civil doctor(V i210). He suggests that the two could not represent the same person. As he continues to speak, he reinforces gender differences he describes Portia as sweet and good then refers t... ... enchant that Nerissa now has over him. Shakespeare subtly addresses gender disputes and overwhelmingly spread outs them erroneous. He allows Jessica, Portia, and Nerissa to botch up gender lines and disg uise themselves as men. While they are transformed, their actions exemplify male deceit. Portia makes Balthasar seem excellent, therefore proves that women can surpass men in intellect. The women at long last challenge male power and honor with their reluctance to act as men. After proving that men do not always posses more power than women do, Shakespeare concludes the play with a scene that physically shows females with the upper hand. The women use maleness merely as a costume, and when they remove it they retain power, thus prove that the two are not always coupled. Works Cited Shakespeare. Merchant of Venice. saucily York Viking Penguin, 1965.