Women in “Merchant of Venice” Essay

In Shakespe atomic number 18s The Merchant of Venice, in that location ar spelly contr oersies over religion and friendship, and the idea of the find that implicated me the most was the role of wowork force. The deuce women that are in this play maintain on the role of the saviors of the men who assurem helpless and hopeless compared to them. Influences of the ascendant Feminist Perspective in The Merchant of Venice Angela Caravella 2006The role that women play deep down populacey Shakespearian plays often highlights their perseverance, strength, and intelligence. This perhaps indicates the playwrights arrangement that women should be on able ground with men. However, the conclusion of his works manoeuvre place to the dictumful, independent cleaning woman settling back into society with her husband. Within the play The Merchant of Venice, the female person characters reach amazing kit and caboodle to clean up the messes that their husbands had shambling and ach ieve their own goals, and to return to their subordinate positions as wives. Portia, Nerissa and Jessicas assumption of the male form to move un noniced surrounded by Belmont and Venice allowed them a glimpse into the world of womens liberationistic angels. In later scenes, when Portia and Nerissa push the demarcationaries of their disguise, they specifically emphasize the nature of motif feminism. The commuteing of Portia, Nerissa, and Jessicas gender to eccentric the society of Venice is a direct spat in the face of the patriarchate indoors the environment of The Merchant of Venice.Unfortunately, the overarching ideals of the world at this time are satisfactory-bodied to recapture their stranglehold on Jessica, Portia, and Nerissa. The construct of feminism is found upon the womans struggle in society for social, political, and economic equivalence with men. Feminism seeks to eliminate the nonion of sexism, which is the degradation, oppression, and subordination of w omen (http//www.feminist come to the fores.com/ floor_feminism.html). Feminism possesses m whatsoever subcategories that center on on specific areas within the sphere of womens inequality backside conjunction to men. One sub category, radical feminism, concerns itself with the idea that society is influenced by a male dominated or patriarchal hierarchy. Under this schooling of thought, the patriarchy can be described as the division of rights, privileges and agent primarily by gender, as a result of oppres transgressiong women and privileging men.A radical feminist essentially believes that they are oppressed on the single ideal that the gender of a woman is inferior and it can be considered that to alter ones gender would be a radical feminist natural action. The method in which the patriarchy is deterrent exampled upon women exists in material and psychological forms finished the physical action of deeds invariably leads to the psychological packance of the females role as subordinate. Women must adhere to several physical standards that obey the guidelines that determine the feminine form. They must be of the desirable physical structure type, with small and graceful movements confined within an invisible enclosed blank space that is modestly dressed and eyes cast downward (Bartky, 67-69). Conversely, men with regards to space, take up as a great deal of an area as viable that he influences un analogous a woman who tends to be a victim of her environment. A woman who does not conform to such stringent standards is often termed by society as a put out woman or spoiled influence. This type of woman has already been accounted for under the patriarchal system. She is of less meridian than women who adhere to the proper code of conduct and society has marker her for discharge Her looseness is manifest not solely in her morals, but in her manner of speech, and literally in the free and easy way she moves (68). ticker contact is separate physi cal action in which the proper woman makes little of so as to not challenge the man to whom she converses with.The loose woman again is seen as a threat to social norms because she feelings at whatever and w blank spacever she solicits her attention (68). When an action has been performed by the woman to displease a man a great deal of suffering ensues. The man himself may deny intimacy if he is unsatisfied with a females performance but the woman too punishes herself for having defiled the expectations placed on her by the patriarchy. The depth of these womens shame is a measure of the finis to which all women have internalized patriarchal standards of bodily accept cognitive content (77). Since women have made patriarchal set single out of their inner psychological being, it is difficult to not feel the ramifications of feministic practices within ones self. Within the play, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, the three female characters Jessica, Portia and Neris sas experience with differing levels of the influence of the patriarchy upon their radical feminist actions taken throughout the play. The radical feminist perspectivehas a focus on gender inequality, so to defy traditional societal norms of gender for example, cross-dressing might be a physical action that a woman could perform as a method of stop, em berthment and activism to promote this ideal. The female characters Jessica, Nerissa and Portia all engage in cross-dressing however, each woman uses this activity to achieve different aims as rise as possess variable judgements regarding its use.Within Act II Scene 6 of the play, Jessica assumes the form of a man so that she may escape from her military chaplains travail and elope with Lorenzo. I am prosperous tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much ashamed of my exchange. But savour is stratagem, and grapplers cannot see ,The pretty follies that themselves commit For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me transformed to a male child What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light. Why, tis an office of discovery, love, And I should be obscured (Shakespeare, 2.6, 36-40,42-44). Jessica is embarrassed by the disguise of a page to flee which exemplifies how sealed the patriarchal ideals are recoil to her personality. She is almost unable to save herself and exercise her own march on behind when she realizes that she must pretend to be a man. When Portia and Nerissa cross-dress, the opinion is quite different or at least not indicated by Shakespeare. When we are twain accounted like young men, Ill prove the prettier buster of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace, And speak between the change of man and boy With reed voice and turn two mincing steps ,Into a manly stride and speak of frays Like a fine gas youth and tell quaint lies, How honourable ladies sought my love, Which I denying, they drop off sick and died-(3.4,63- 71).These characters neatly solve a knotty legal riddle for Antonio and Bassanio under the guise of male attorneys (Jardine, 30). In their form they are able to manipulate the head for the hills of action within the courtroom as well as outside it by attracting ladies attention and convincing Bassanio and Gratiano to devolve up Portia and Nerissas rings. By defying their genders to enter into the male-dominated society in Venice they enact the center field of radical feminism. Portia and Nerissa do not hold shame for their actions that could be an extension of their lack of concern for patriarchal values but also an provoke in saving the tone of Antonio because he has a deep alliance with Bassanio. The most powerful point of Portia and Nerissasactivity as justiceyers in Venice is that they are able to move undetected in society and achieve their goals. This activity deconstructs the male hierarchy because they achieve more than what Bassanio, Antonio or loan shark could accomplish within the courtroom. As men these women were capable of accomplishing astonishing deeds since they were out of the realm of low expectations placed on women. To further sanction the radical feminist philosophy, Portia and Nerissa are able to obtain power over the men so as to adjust the gender imbalance era not shrouded under the garb worn by men as well. Portias clothes effect no metamorphosis on her spirit, the lawyer was never a lady, although the lady is always roughlything of a lawyer (Dusinberre, 267-268). patch Belmont can be considered more liberal in regards to womens equality there is at lease one decree that remains steadfast, Portias marriage as determined from the inclose test. Portias tiros power over his girlfriend even in death is a volition to the control men have in the affairs of women, as though they were property and not human beings. According to her fathers go away, Portias husband will be the man who deals the regenerate casket that cont ains a picture of Portia. Oh, me, the word, recognise I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike so is the will of a aliveness missy curbed by the will of a curtly father (Shakespeare,1.2,22-24). plot of ground the casket selection appears to be a strict stipulation, the sly Portia deciphers a method in which she can stillness have an influence upon the man that she marries. Portia accepts the fact that she must get hitched with Bassanio after he selects the lead casket as the fulfillment of her fathers desires. She was able to tip the scales of the decision-making exercise in her favor so that she could choose her husband by discreetly providing clues to indicate the correct casket. Let music sound while he doth make his selectionLet us all ring ascertains knell Ill begin it- Ding, Dong, bell. Ding, Dong, bell (3.2, 43, 69-71). Superficially, the situation relates to the overarching patriarchy and its strength Portia however, acts to work against the oppress ive rent she is bound to and chart the origin of the selection of her husband (Dusinberre, 85). In addition to the creation of an equilibrium over her destiny by means of manipulation of her fathers will, both Portia and Nerissa are able to exercise some means of assurance that they will keep their husbands with the ring test.The fancy of loyalty of the men towards the women embodiedwithin a ring serves as a form of commitment and digs the blanket(a) right to end at the engagement of marriage should such a keepsake be misplaced. The promise Bassanio and Gratiano make to Portia and Nerissa respectively regarding the rings as strong a contract for the women as a legal confederation similar to loan shark and Antonios agreement (Phialas, 145). When Portia and Nerissa call attention to the divergence of the rings to Bassanio and Gratiano, they show signs of distraught and anger so much as to deny them their love. This exercises the feministic perspective because they are able to use as much discretion a man could in the gaining and subsequent dismissal of their fiancs. Feministic values are highly prominent in the play The Merchant of Venice, especially those including the radical feminist concept of a patriarchal society. The female characters were able to utilize the activity of cross-dressing to carry out the business they needed so that their lives might be more bearable while under the control of men within society. Not all of the characters felt empowered by their action to become men, a sense of shame accompanied Jessica during her course as a man. Portia and Nerissa were able to humble their next husbands to provide an equal ground for both couples with the ring test. Portia also even made it possible to guide the husband selection decision to suit her interests.The constant alter tension between the male and female characters in their struggle for authorisationity over the other indicates that Shakespeare had a deep and profound knowledge of th e propulsive between men and women. Portia is the heroine of William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice. A rich, beautiful, and intelligent heiress, she is bound by the lottery set forth in her fathers will, which gives potential suitors the chance to choose between three caskets composed of gold, facile and lead. If they choose the right casket the casket containing Portias portrait they set ahead Portias roll in marriage. If they choose the wrong casket, they must leave and never seek other woman in marriage. Portia is glad when two suitors, one driven by greed and another by vanity, become to choose correctly. She favours Bassanio, a young Venetian noble, but is not allowed to give him any clues to assist in his choice. Later in the play, she disguises herself as a man, then assumes the role of a lawyers apprentice (named Balthazar) whereby she saves the sprightliness of Bassanios friend, Antonio, in court. Portia is one of the most prominent and appealing of the heroine s in Shakespeares matureromantic comedies. She is beautiful, gracious, rich, intelligent, and quick-witted, with high standards for her potential romantic partners. She obeys her fathers will, while steadfastly seeking to obtain Bassanio. She demonstrates tact to the Princes of Morocco and Aragon, who unsuccessfully seek her hand. In the court scenes, Portia finds a technicality in the bond, thereby outwitting loan shark and saving Antonios life-time when everyone else fails. Yet, she also shows immense mischief and cruelty towards the figure of Shylock and those who are sympathetic with Shylock see her as the epitome of blunt, barbaric, Christian primitivism. It is Portia who delivers one of the most famous speeches in The Merchant of Venice The quality of mercy is not straind.It droppeth as the benignant rain from heavenUpon the place beneath. It is twice blestIt blesseth him that gives and him that takes.Despite Portias lack of formal legal training, knowledge ,education,(giv e lines from text book.)she wins her case by referring to the details of the exact language of the law. Her success involves prevailing on technicalities quite an than the merits of the situation. She uses the tactics of what is sometimes called a Philadelphia lawyer. However, the concept of rhetoric and its abuse is also brought to light by Portia highlighting the idea that an unjust argument may win through eloquence, loopholes and technicalities, regardless of the moral question at hand and thus provoking the audience to consider that issue. PortiaFrom the first time we get together Portia, we see that she is a very smart woman and that she is looking for a man that has more thoughts in his head than those of money and beauty. She and Nerissa talk of the indulgence of all her suitors and it is very throw that she is looking for a respectable man who will love her for who she is and not for her money. This separates her from the men from the stock. All the comments that she makes about the men put her on a pedestal compared to them. Just by speak of men this way she shows that she is just smarter than they are. God made him, and therefore permit him establish for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he (Act I. Scene ii. 56-58). The scenes in which she meets with thesuitors to choose the caskets and to see if they will splice her, she is clearly in the dominant position. She acts like she is a judge in a court and she has all dictum over the suitors as they choose the different caskets and find out their fates. Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince. If you choose that wherein I am contained, Straight shall our spousal rites be solemnized. But if you fail, without speech, my lord, you must be gone from hence presently (II.ix.4-8). She says these lines as a judge would pass down his or her censure to the defendant found guilty of a crime. She shows herself to be of higher consideration to the readers and it seems a fir st to me because I have never read a Shakespeare play in which the women hold dominant roles over the men.Quick-witted, wealthy, and beautiful, Portia embodies the virtues that are regular of Shakespeares heroinesit is no surprise that she emerges as the antidote to Shylocks malice. At the beginning of the play, however, we do not see Portias potential for initiative and resourcefulness, as she is a near prisoner, feeling herself absolutely bound to follow her fathers dying wishes. This opening appearance, however, proves to be a revealing introduction to Portia, who emerges as that rarest of combinationsa free spirit who abides bolt by territorial dominions. Rather than ignoring the stipulations of her fathers will, she watches a stream of suitors pass her by, happy to see these particular suitors go, but sad that she has no choice in the matter. When Bassanio arrives, however, Portia proves herself to be highly resourceful, begging the man she loves to stay a while before picki ng a chest, and finding loopholes in the wills provision that we never thought possible. Also, in her defeat of Shylock Portia prevails by applying a more rigid standard than Shylock himself, agreeing that his contract very much entitles him to his pound of flesh, but adding that it does not allow for any loss of blood. Anybody can break the rules, but Portias effectiveness comes from her exponent to make the law work for her. Portia rejects the stuffiness that rigid adherence to the law might otherwise suggest. In her courtroom appearance, she vigorously applies the law, but still flouts convention by appearing disguised as a man. afterward depriving Bassanio of his ring, she stops the prank before it goes to far, but still takes it far passable to berate Bassanio and Gratiano for their callousness, and she even insinuates that she has been unfaithful Act 3, Scene 2 delight in 7 Bassanio and Portia are clearly in love with one another they want to join, but find themselves bou nd by the arbitrary rule set by her father. Portia doesnt want to say goodbye to Bassanio forever, so he asks him to delay choosing a chest if this is going to be the in conclusion time she ever sees Bassanio, she wants it to last as large as possible. Bassanio, on the other hand, cant bear delaying his choice any longer. He cant bear to live another moment not knowing if hes going be able to marry Portia and spend the rest of his life with her.Ring The ring Portia gives to Bassanio as a symbolism of their love. He swears he will never part with it, and she uses it to test which of his loves is stronger, his love for her, or his love for his friend Antonio. Act 2 Scene 1Persecution 3 The Prince of Morocco knows full well that the color of his skin would be an issue with anyone in Portias position, but begs her to take other things into consideration. He explains that there are other ways to judge him beyond the colour of his skin, and that in any of those respects, he is more th an worthy. Portia says she has accepted the puzzle of the chests, and beyond that she has no interest in the color of his skin.Persecution 4 After the Prince has failed, Portia exclaims her relief that she wint have to marry a dark-skinned man, and hopes that if any other dark people try to win her hand, theyll fail just as the Prince had. PortiaLike Antonio, Portia is an example of nobility. She is a fair-haired beauty with an immense power to attract. Her goodness and virtue enhance her beauty. Unlike Antonio, she is not passive, but displays brawniness and determination. In galore(postnominal) ways, hers is the more forceful figure in the play. Her authority and control with which she deals and manipulates the circumstances of the play are exemplary. In Belmont, the terms of her fathers will leave her without any choice in her future husband, and she is saddened that she does not have an appropriate mate. As a dutiful daughter, however, she is compelled to accept her fathers w ishes. Despite her dissatisfaction with her circumstances, she has a cheerful and optimistic nature. She is clever with words and wit and enjoys the opportunity of performing, both in Belmont and Venice. She uses her wonderful ability with words and her keen sense of humor to enliven the scenes in which sheappears. Her manipulation of her money reflects Bassanios belief that money is to be used just now in the sense of helping loved ones.She proves she is unselfish and generous. Her happiness and Antonios meet in Bassanio. Her ideal of mercy is unselfish generosity and she shows an apprehension of Christian values. As a Christian gentlewoman, she considers it her duty to show Shylock the foolishness of his exact interpretation of the law that has no mercy. She dresses as a young lawyer and goes to court to defend Antonio. Like Shylock has demanded, she stringently interprets the law and disallows the Jew from taking a drop of Antonios blood when he takes his pound of flesh. Sinc e this is impossible, Shylock begs to just be given money, but Portia is unrelenting. She cites another law that offers any alien who tries to take the life of a Venetian is to lose all of his money, which will be split between the state and the person who was to be killed. As a result, Shylock loses all of his wealth. Portia has smartly tricked Shylock at his own game. Portia is the most multi-dimensional character in the play, alternate(a) between a beautiful woman in the remote saddle horse of Belmont and the authoritative lawyer in Venice, who orchestrates the victory of good over evil. Nerissa nature AnalysisNerissa is Portias woman in waiting (read her sidekick). At the beginning of the play, she acts as a sounding board to Portia. She listens to Portia complain about her life and the unfairness of the casket contest and tells her to suck it up and be glad her father was wise enough to plan for his daughters future. This, of course, tells us that Nerissa is a very practica l girl. Hmm. This must be wherefore she agrees to marry Graziano if Bassanio can win Portia. Read all about it in our analysis of Graziano. she has patiencesays good things about her fatherAct 2, Scene 9 whop 6 Nerissa hopes that the god of love will bless Portia and obtain Bassinio to her, since there is no other man who deserves her, and she cant choose him. She thinks that only the devine intervention of Cupid could possibly bring Bassanio to Portia, and ensure that he chose the correctchest, that only with the help of a god could love overcome blind luck. Nerissa is Portias maid. She acts as a backdrop to the wit displayed by Portia. Her long association with her mistress has elevated her mannerisms and behavior to the point that she now acts as a witty and intelligent person. She, too, follows the examples set by Portia in many ways she marries a gentleman from Venice, she follows Portia to Venice, she assumes the role of a lawyers clerk and she takes her ring from her lover . She is to Portia what Gratiano is to Bassanio. ..x.X.. Love 9 in order to give her husband a chance to prove his love, Portia tests him by demanding his wedding ring. Bassanio at first balks at the idea, having promised that his wife is more important to him than anything else. Gratiano convinces him to part with the ring, though, assuring Bassanio that his wife will fancy. Act 5, Scene 1Love 10 Portia and Nerissa forgive their husbands for giving up their wedding rings, and return them. Bassanio and Gratiano pledge that no matter what happens, they wont ever again make anything more important than their wives. JessicaCHARACTERSJessicaCharacter AnalysisJessica is Shylocks only daughter. She breaks her dads heart by running off to marry a Christian (Lorenzo) and helps herself to her dads ducats and some treasured family heirlooms. being Shylocks DaughterBefore we dismiss Jessica as a selfish jerk who steals from and abandons her dad, we should keep in mind that life at Shylocks house is not so great. It becomes even worse when their clown/servant Lancelot leaves I am sorry thou wilting leave my father so, Jessica says to Lancelot. Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, / Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness (2.3.1). Shakespeare gives us a little taste of life at Shylocks in Act 2, Scene 5 when Shylock and Jessica appear onstage together, Shylock barks orders at his daughter (while belly laugh at his servant). He demands thatJessica stay inside and lock up the doors so the sounds of music dont drift in from the streets (2.5.5). OK, we can understand why Jessica wants to get out of Dodge, and shes certainly not the only Shakespearean daughter to elope. But it does seem pretty cold when she trades her dead mothers turquoise ring for a monkey after running off with Lorenzo. Her thoughtlessness devastates her father Out upon her Thou torturest me, tubal it was myturquoise I had it of Leah when I was a bachelorI would not have given it for a wilderne ss of monkeys. (3.1.14) Jessicas ConversionJessica not only runs away from her fathers house, she also converts to Christianity, and both are portrayed as acts of abandonment. When Lancelot the clown says Jessica is damned to hell because shes the Jews daughter, Jessica declares I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian (3.5.3). The idea here is that Jessicas marriage to a Christian man will automatically make her a Christian too. The concept comes from 1 Corinthians 714 in the New Testament The atheistical wife is sanctified by the husband. As literary critic Janet Adelman points out in Blood Relations, marriage appears to occur to Jessica largely as a way to escape being her fathers daughter Alack, what grievous sin is it in meTo be ashamed to be my fathers childBut though I am a daughter to his blood,I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo,If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife,Become a Christian and thy loving wife. (2.3.2)Here it becomes clear that Jessica not only hates her fathers rude manners but also associates Shylocks conduct and behavior with being Jewish, which is why she cant wait to become a Christian.As the daughter of Shylock, she is compelled to abandon him. The difference in their temperaments has made her circumstances intolerable. She is, although a Jew, as different from her father as jet to ivory. She is more at home with Christian ways than with the austerity of her fathers Jewish house. She likes Launcelot because of his capacity to introduce merriment to an otherwise gloomyhousehold. She shows ingenuity in disguising as a pageboy to effect her elopement. Although guilty of theft and filial ingratitude in betraying her father, she shows an understanding of the moral sins that she has committed. Her drawbacks are mitigated by her loving and exuberant nature, which is similar to Portias vivacity and wit.