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

Shakespe atomic number 18 challenges the trust that workforce hold more agent than women do. He subtly hints that the power men posses is superficial when Jessica dresses like a boy, and ulterior when Nerissa and Portia disguise themselves as men in The Merchant of Venice. Masculinity is entirely a costume that butt end be donned or doffed at get out therefore its associated power can be removed and redistributed as well. Shakespeargon emphasizes gender barriers, however 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 comer 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 military man based on a preconceived prejudice that doctors usually are male. Nerissa and Portia are well aware of this discrimination, so they ta ke on the roles of men rather than disguise themselves as other women when they appear in court. They adopt 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 deuce 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... ... fix that Nerissa now has over him. Shakespeare subtly addresses gender disputes and overwhelmingly switch offs them erroneous. He allows Jessica, Portia, and Nerissa to get through gender line s and disguise themselves as men. While they are transformed, their actions exemplify manful deceit. Portia makes Balthasar seem excellent, therefore proves that women can surpass men in intellect. The women in the end 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 masculinity 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. bracing York Viking Penguin, 1965.