Theme Of Women In The Merchant Of Venice

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William Shakespeare 's, The Merchant of Venice, acts contrary to the majority of Elizabethan literature, by exhibiting strong, witty, and independent women. William Shakespeare is well known for writing headstrong female characters such as Viola from Twelfth Night, or Hermia from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Therefore, it should be no surprise that three spirited young women are present in The Merchant of Venice. Portia, Nerissa, and Jessica all show an alternative side of women by acting on their own accord and taking control of their personal destinies. Women from the elite upper class in Europe during the 16th century were expected to be well learned in literature and language, but they were expected to repress these teachings, if they …show more content…

Jessica is a Jew and her husband Lorenzo is Italian, while they are not a classic example of an interracial, their relationship still causes friction between Jessica and her father, Shylock. Jessica knows of her father 's hatred for Christians, so obviously he would never let her marry one. Jessica decides to defy her father and runs away with Lorenzo and a chunk of her father 's money. Jessica is a good example of a strong woman seeing her happiness and going after it no matter the negative effect on others. Jessica also cross-dresses just as Portia, and Nerissa do. All three of these girls are comfortable impersonating men and navigating the male world. Jessica also is not afraid to speak her mind and play with her husband. While they are house sitting for Portia, Lorenzo tries to sweet talk Jessica, who responds with spunk and sass, shooting back “In such a night did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well, stealing her soul with many vows of faith, and ne’er a true one”(5.1.18-21). Lorenzo then tries to set the mood by requesting music be played by the nearby band, Jessica however, voices that music makes her down, and that she would prefer to not hear it. Jessica was not afraid to tell her husband that she did not agree with him; this is very contrary to most of the women of the time who would have kept quiet. Jessica however, is not without fault and act foolishly, spending her father 's money without any concern. Jessica matures from this though, and learns from her mistakes. If she had not been allowed to make mistakes, she would not be able to mature and develop into the women that she is. Jessica is a woman who through her own sins matured, which under her father’s control she would not be able to

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