Across time, women have consistently encountered challenges in society, the economy, and politics. Shakespeare acknowledged this and sought to depict the controversial nature of Androgynous matters. Through showcasing powerful female characters and delving into the consequences of disguises, Shakespeare brings attention to gender-related concerns. Certain critics contend that Shakespeare’s deliberate employment of boy-girl-boy disguises exploits women intentionally and presents them unfavorably.
In reality, Shakespeare uses disguises to highlight the mistreatment of women and to showcase the strength of his female characters, such as Portia from “Merchant of Venice” and Viola from “Twelfth Night.” These characters represent Shakespeare’s admiration for intelligent and strong women. Additionally, it is worth noting that the concept of a transsexual theme did not exist during Shakespeare’s time as it does now. The audience readily accepted men portraying women and vice versa on stage.
Shakespeare took advantage of this acceptance and utilized it to provide significant and empowering roles for female characters. Portia’s strength surpasses societal expectations, with her boy-girl-boy disguise serving as a source of amusement for the contemporary audience. However, in present times, Shakespeare’s portrayal of Portia and Viola is seen as heroic. In the mid-1800s, scrutiny of Shakespeare’s female characters began, revealing his progressive stance on gender matters long before his era.
Despite also utilizing “feminine men” to depict the limitations imposed upon men by societal norms, Shakespeare primarily delved into the roles that women assumed or were restricted from assuming, both socially and legally, in his era. By showcasing the determination, fortitude, virtues, and intelligence of characters like Portia, as well as the resolute yet vulnerable nature of Viola, Shakespeare embraces the concept of androgyny and reveals his own feminine aspects, inviting future generations to dissect and feminists to delve into.
Robert Kimbrough discusses the concept of Androgyny in his 1982 essay titled “Androgyny Seen Through Shakespeare’s Disguise.” According to him, Androgyny is best defined as the ability of an individual, regardless of gender, to embody all human character traits. This definition remains relevant in modern times despite cultural efforts to assign certain traits exclusively to femininity or masculinity (1). Kimbrough believes that achieving androgyny is possible through structural changes in both institutional and social organizations. The question that arises is how this achievement can be realized.
Shakespeare aimed to challenge societal norms on gender roles by exposing his audience to androgyny. He advocated for equality between men and women, utilizing characters in his plays to address the forbidden taboos of gender crossing within society. It is crucial to acknowledge that one’s gender is not determined solely by their biological sex. Anthropology teaches us that each culture has its own definition of Modal Cultural Personality, encompassing distinct roles for both males and females. These roles are typically perceived as fixed, with women assigned tasks traditionally deemed “women’s work” and men allocated responsibilities labeled as “men’s work,” among other examples.
Primitive society required specific roles for survival, but some stigmas associated with these roles continue to exist today. Women are still expected to conform to societal beauty standards, wearing makeup and smelling good. They are also expected to embody virtues such as motherliness, sisterhood, femininity, and nurturing while lacking masculine traits. However, Shakespeare used the characters of Portia and Viola to break free from these limitations by allowing them to adopt male disguises and exhibit a wider range of human characteristics. Through this liberation, Portia and Viola escape the constraints imposed on them by society (1).
Portia and Viola both possess an understanding of how men engage in social positioning. Each of them is extremely cautious in concealing her true identity. In The Merchant of Venice, Portia creates a plan to safeguard her accustomed wealth, status, and power as well as her love. In the end, she employs deception to achieve her desired outcomes, which include the protection of her status, wealth, and power, ultimately positioning herself as the heroine. Portia is mindful not to disclose her intelligence to the male characters until she accomplishes her objectives. It is highly unlikely that an English woman during that time period would have behaved similarly to Portia.
Shakespeare portrays a change in Portia’s character, as she transitions from a seemingly pampered wealthy woman to an intelligent and independent individual. Initially, she feels constrained by her late father’s wishes and cannot openly defy him. Due to the societal norms of the time, she has no choice but to follow the rules set by her father before his death. However, in her first act of self-preservation, she directs her beloved Bassanio to the correct casket which contains her picture. Nevertheless, it is when Portia disguises herself as a man that she experiences liberation and allows Shakespeare to explore the concept of androgyny.
Portia assumes the identity of Ballario, which proves to be advantageous for herself, Antonio, and her husband. Ballario is articulate, zealous about the law, and highly educated. This marks the first time that Portia is acknowledged intellectually, surpassing men and garnering even greater admiration as a knowledgeable law expert. She relishes in this newfound recognition, carefully selecting her words and delivering lengthy speeches during the courtroom scene. By encroaching upon traditionally male territory, Portia turns the courtroom scene into a groundbreaking occurrence.
In her 1994 essay, “Victorian Portias: Shakespeare’s Borderline Heroine,” Julie Hankey discusses Portia’s masculine traits in the court scenes, stating that her composure, methodical speech, and independence encroach on traditionally male territory. Hankey quotes Portia’s longest speech in the court scene, focusing on the quality of mercy. According to Portia, mercy is not forced but is as gentle as rain from heaven. It has double blessings, benefiting both the giver and receiver. Mercy is most powerful and suits a monarch better than a crown or scepter, as it represents God’s attribute and surpasses earthly power. Portia then addresses the Jew, urging him to consider that justice alone cannot grant salvation and that mercy is essential. She concludes by stating that through prayer for mercy, all are taught to show acts of mercy.
I have spoken at length to soften the severity of your argument. If you continue in this way, the strict court of Venice will surely rule against the merchant. Shakespeare has bestowed upon Portia a wealth of wisdom that women of his era were not typically allowed to share with others. He empowers Portia to assume an equal, rational, and clever role – a role that was not traditionally assigned to women during this time period. Portia express her views on mercy and emphasizes its importance not only within the court, but also within the heart of the accuser.
In her speech, she acknowledges that Antonio did break the contract and therefore the law would side with Shylock. However, she tells Shylock that being merciful is a virtue in the eyes of God and brings greater rewards than seeking vengeance. Shakespeare used Portia’s character to demonstrate that regardless of gender, the mind can function on various levels and encompass multiple roles. People should not be confined to specific gender roles, and moving towards androgyny is progress.
Viola is a remarkable heroine in my view. She represents strong women and shows that it is possible to survive while also being kind and gentle, which is a quality that should be encouraged in everyone. Shakespeare gave Viola the ability to adapt quickly to different situations without hesitation. She is clever, charming, and intelligent. From a feminist standpoint, her determination to explore unexplored aspects of life stands out among all of Shakespeare’s characters. When she hears about her brother’s supposed death, she immediately takes action to avoid being sent back home by Orsino.
Shakespeare grants freedom to Viola by allowing her to assume a male disguise. In this instance, she persuades the captain to assist her, stating, “I beg of you, and I’ll reward you generously, conceal my true identity and be my helper in finding a suitable disguise for my purpose.” This enables Viola to delve into her own identity on a profound level. Kimbrough further supports the idea of androgyny by highlighting Viola’s self-discovery as evidence. Referring to a specific scene in Twelfth Night, he elucidates that the phrase “true of heart as we” refers to mankind as a whole, causing the pronoun “we” to possess an undeniably androgynous nature (1).
Viola is capable of completely eliminating any indication of gender, rendering her neither masculine nor feminine. The entire play revolves around the notion that identity can be perplexing. Shakespeare employs Feste’s character to convey the idea that identity can be bewildering. Shakespeare is asserting that the fundamental essence of identity exists within our minds. Bonos dies, Sir Toby. For, like the wise old hermit from Prague, who never laid eyes on pen and ink, so cleverly stated to a niece of King Gorboduc, “That that is, is”; thus, I, as the esteemed Parson, am indeed Master Parson; for what is “that” other than “that,” and what is “is” other than “is”?
Shakespeare cleverly incorporates both comedy and deep contemplation of identity and gender in Feste’s lines. The concept of androgyny, which Shakespeare clearly embraced, is evident throughout his works. By employing disguises, Shakespeare effectively addresses gender issues that were significantly progressive for his era. His skill in using double entendres and crafting atmospheres allows him to communicate powerful messages. Furthermore, he portrays strong female characters to shed light on the stigmas they faced during his time.
Shakespeare can be regarded as a pioneer of feminist perspectives with his belief in gender equality. The way he liberates women through disguises offers valuable insights into the societal atmosphere and the roles of women in that era. It is unfortunate that women are still struggling against these imposed characteristics by society, and the only solution is for society to strive towards androgyny while still maintaining our individual identities. We need to eradicate gender biases and work together as a unified whole, just as Shakespeare envisioned.
